The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) convened its World Motor Sport Council on 19 October 2026 via videoconference from its Knightsbridge headquarters. President Mohammed Ben Sulayem opened the session by recalling the federation’s commitment to sustainability, accessibility and innovation. The Council then ratified a slate of measures that will reshape the rally-related championships from 2027 onward.
WRC27: a new structure for the premier rally series
Key to the agenda was the finalisation of the WRC27 sporting regulations. The Council confirmed the creation of the Rally1 top class, which will host two technically distinct specifications: the brand-new “WRC Cars” built to the WRC27 rulebook, and the “WRC Kit Cars” that adapt existing Rally2 machinery with an approved aerodynamic kit (new front fenders, bumper and rear wing). Both variants will compete head-to-head from the 2027 season.
Alongside the technical split, the championship hierarchy will be overhauled. The historic Manufacturers’ Championship will be replaced by a Constructors’ Championship opening eligibility to traditional car makers and independent tuners alike, provided they contest every round. A parallel WRC Teams’ Championship will run over seven pre-selected events, including a mandatory overseas round and the season finale. Support categories – WRC2, WRC3 and the WRC Masters Cup – will continue unchanged.
Performance-related tweaks were also approved. The turbo-restrictor diameter for both Rally1 specifications increases from 32 mm to 33 mm, delivering a modest power boost. Moreover, the Council retained the right to introduce balance-of-performance measures to preserve a clear performance gap between the two Rally1 spec cars during the transition years of 2027-2028.
Rally 6: a low-cost gateway for aspiring drivers
In a move aimed at widening participation, the FIA introduced a brand-new Rally 6 category at the base of the rally pyramid. Developed from the French FFSA FR6 formula, Rally 6 targets an entry price of €35-47 k. Cars will be two-wheel-drive, based on production four-seaters, powered by either a 1.6 L turbo or a 2.0 L naturally aspirated engine, delivering roughly 140 hp in a 1 050 kg chassis (weight-to-power ratio of 7.5 kg/hp).
To keep running costs low, the technical rules mandate the use of standard production components – brakes, tyres, H-pattern gearboxes and non-adjustable shock absorbers – while safety requirements remain aligned with those of the existing Rally5-Kit class. The FIA also announced a sweeping update of the regional rally championships, harmonising regulations, simplifying organisational procedures and strengthening FIA branding with new logos for each series.
Cross-Country Rally, karting and other championship updates
The Council used the same session to unveil a long-term technical roadmap for the Cross-Country Rally discipline. The “Ultimate 2030” plan outlines a phased rollout of a next-generation vehicle featuring a FIA-designed safety cell, enlarged crew protection, and space for alternative powertrains while retaining the four-wheel-drive, front-engine layout. Development, crash testing and validation will occur in 2027, with the experimental group debuting in 2029 and mandatory use by factory teams in 2030.
A complementary “Challenger 2029” programme focuses on cost reduction and reliability for the feeder class. New rules will allow reinforced structures, closed bodywork and engines up to 1 620 cc turbo, with a 10-year vehicle lifecycle. Eligibility to score points begins in 2029 after an experimental phase in 2028.
Additional regulatory adjustments were approved across the FIA portfolio. In karting, event lengths are capped at four days to protect young drivers’ schooling and lower participation costs; an exemption applies for season-ending finals. tyre allocations have been trimmed to three sets per weekend for the OK and Junior categories, echoing earlier measures for gearbox karts.
Safety standards for e-karting received a dedicated framework, distinguishing high- and low-voltage machines and providing clear guidance for circuits, operators and officials.
Endurance racing will see the LMGT3 Teams’ classification merged, with points from both cars under a single licence combined for the season-long trophy, emphasizing collective team performance over individual entries.
Commercially, the Council highlighted two landmark agreements that cement the financial future of the world championships. A ten-year partnership for the FIA World Endurance Championship, announced last month, now requires all regulatory changes to obtain Council approval and incorporates enhanced FIA branding. Earlier in July, the so-called “Deal of the Century” secured a multi-year commercial rights package for the world rally Championship, completing a quartet of long-term contracts signed since July 2025.
Finally, the meeting honoured the second edition of FIA Volunteers and Officials Month, urging aspiring stewards, marshals and medical crews to contact their national ASN to join the sport’s essential support network.
