WRC Teams Prepare for Hybrid-Free Future in 2023
In the world of the WRC, teams are gearing up for a significant change in the 2023 season – the removal of the 100kW control hybrid kits from the Rally1 cars. According to M-Sport-Ford lead engineer Tim Jackson, this adjustment won’t require “a huge amount of work” during the off-season.
The FIA’s decision to revert to solely 1.6-litre turbocharged internal combustion engines, powered by 100% sustainable fuel, was triggered by the rising costs of running the hybrid units, following the introduction of new safety guidelines at the Acropolis Rally in Greece in September.
“The regulations that they have proposed and been voted on have a slightly lower weight limit for the car overall with a view that it increases the safety kind of things, and there is a slightly smaller engine restrictor as well,” Jackson explained to Autosport. “The power-to-weight ratio is the same basically.”
While the changes may seem minor on paper, teams will need to work on adjusting the ballast to meet the new minimum weight of 1180 kilograms, down from 1260 kilograms. This will allow them to optimize the car’s center of gravity.
“There is some work to do on ballast to adjust the car to that weight. When you have ballast to play with you have the opportunity to move the center of gravity, but ultimately, we will be getting rid of a big 100 kilo lump in one part of the car,” Jackson added.
The uncertainty over the 2025 regulations has left teams’ development plans in limbo to a certain degree. However, M-Sport has already spent a homologation joker on improving its gear ratios for next year, while Hyundai and Toyota also have significant developments for their vehicles underway.
“It is quite frustrating to have a development plan for the year going forward especially being a team with limited resources. You have to choose really wisely where you put those resources,” Jackson acknowledged.
As the WRC community looks ahead to the 2023 season, teams will undoubtedly be working hard to fine-tune their cars and adapt to the new hybrid-free era, ensuring they are ready to compete at the highest level.
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