Results for: WRC

The recent simulator sessions in the US have played a crucial role in enhancing the performance of the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 on Croatia’s asphalt stages last weekend. Ford, despite not operating as a full-fledged factory team in the WRC, provides support to M-Sport’s program through access to the Ford Performance Technical Centre’s simulator in America, aiding in the development of the Puma.Adrien Fourmaux attributes the significant improvement in the Puma’s pace on asphalt since the Monte Carlo opener in January to the simulator sessions. Fourmaux secured two stage wins in Croatia, including the Power Stage, amassing 13 championship points.

The FIA’s proposed technical rule changes for the 2025 and 2026 WRC seasons have been met with resistance from manufacturers Toyota, Hyundai, and M-Sport Ford, who prefer to retain the current Rally1 regulations. The FIA aims to reduce hybrid power, aerodynamics, and air restrictor size to align the Rally1 cars more closely with Rally2 vehicles, while also introducing an upgrade kit for Rally2 cars. Manufacturers express concerns about the short timeline and resource costs for developing revised Rally1 cars, urging the FIA to focus on the 2027 regulations instead. The FIA acknowledges manufacturers’ concerns and aims to reach a compromise by May, before presenting its decision to teams in June.