Cost caps have recently been introduced to Formula 1 in 2021 and Formula E last season to prevent costs spiralling out of control to the detriment of the disciplines.
Currently WRC’s top Rally1 class operates without a cost cap, meaning manufacturers Toyota, Hyundai and M-Sport-Ford are free to spend what they wish on rally programmes.
WRC Promoter believes costs have been drifting away from the original figure intended for the Rally1 hybrid cars that were introduced last year. It is understood that the cost of a Rally1 car is close to a million euros, while Rally2 cars are capped at approximately 200,000 euros.
The WRC and FIA have revealed that a cost cap is an idea on the table as part of a wider discussion regarding the long term future pathway for the WRC, as it aims to secure it target of four manufacturers.
“This is an ongoing work at the moment,” WRC senior sporting director Peter Thul told Autosport.
“I remember when there was a cost assumption for the current cars. I don't tell you the number, but it's a little bit drifting away in the wrong direction.
“Okay, it's engineer-driven sport and the engineers want to have the fastest cars. But a cost cap is super important.
“We have to get the costs down. The Rally1 team bosses all have to go the board and they have to justify the investment, that's for sure.”
Source: Autosport