In the second meeting of 2019 of World Motor Sport Council that took place in Paris, has been taken many decisions concerning the electric motorsport.
The World Motor Sport Council has been hosted by FIA President Jean Todt and FIA Deputy President for Sport, Graham Stoker, attended for the first time by Jorge Viegas, President of the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).
The most important decisions
The FIA World Motor Sport Council sets a very important parameter in electric motorsport, and in fact the last meeting can be considered as a start for the Electric Rally World Championship and the Electric Rallycross Championship.
Following the decisions in the different series.
FIA World Rally Championship
The Council approved the introduction of a new generation of WRC cars in 2022, with a five-year homologation cycle. Manufacturers will be allowed to use a production bodyshell or a prototype tubular structure to current WRC size guidelines, while the FIA is set to define carry-over elements from production vehicles for key visual elements. There will also be an option for ‘scaling’ of the body within prescribed limits, to allow larger cars to comply with dimension targets.
The cars will feature a supplementary hybrid system, to be comprised of common components and software for the first three years, with the potential for more technical freedom in 2024. The aim is to enable the cars to run on pure electric power in cities and provide an electric power boost on special stages.
A tyre tender covering all championship classes with 4WD cars will be issued for the period 2021-2024, helping to reduce costs by preventing an escalation in tyre development.
The Junior WRC programme will continue in its current format for the next two seasons. In addition to the existing prize structure of a Ford Fiesta R5 plus a support package to compete in WRC2, the 2020 winner would benefit from a potential path to WRC. Contingent upon then winning the WRC 2 Championship, the Junior WRC title-winner would have the opportunity to compete in two WRC outings in an M-Sport run car. To support this programme, M-Sport, in conjunction with Pirelli, has developed a national ‘feeder’ programme across Finland, the United Kingdom, Estonia and Italy that will allow them to step up into the world stage the following season.
The Council approved the long-term extension of the current Promoter, subject to a long-form agreement being signed.
Approval of the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship calendar was deferred to the end of June 2019. In the intervening period it will consider the potential rotation of competitions.
FIA World Rallycross Championship
The Council approved the revised roadmap for the Electrification of the FIA World Rallycross Championship in 2021. This will be focused on the current private teams and the use of current Supercars. A gradual introduction will see a mix of EVs and current ICEs for a minimum of one year (2021). An identical specification powertrain and battery kit is to be introduced for a four-year cycle, comprising two motors developing between 400 and 500 kW.
To continue the diversification of the FIA electric portfolio, an FIA Junior eRX Championship will be created for 2021, based on an arrive and drive format, and with 4WD cars developing approximately 250 kW.
Three tenders will be launched for the supply of a retrofit electric kit for current Supercars, a Junior eRX Championship car and operator, and a charging infrastructure for both the electric World Championship and the Junior eRX Championship. Each tender covers a four year period and potential suppliers can respond with bids for more than one tender.
The European Championship will continue with the existing Supercar and S1600 categories.
FIA Formula E Championship
The 2019/20 ABB FIA Formula E Championship calendar was approved as follows:
22 November 2019 Saudi Arabia Ad Diriyah**
23 November 2019 Saudi Arabia Ad Diriyah
14 December 2019 TBC TBC
18 January 2020 Chile Santiago de Chile*
15 February 2020 Mexico Mexico City*
01 March 2020 China Hong Kong*
21 March 2020 China TBC*
4 April 2020 Italy Rome
18 April 2020 France Paris
3 May 2020 South Korea Seoul*
30 May 2020 Germany Berlin
20 June 2020 USA New York
25 July 2020 United Kingdom London*
26 July 2020 United Kingdom London*
* Subject to circuit homologation
** Double-header subject to government agreement
The following changes to the Sporting Regulations were approved:
During a race suspension, the timekeeping system will stop, unless otherwise announced by the Race Director, with the aim of completing the full race time.
The fastest driver in each of the four qualifying groups will score one championship point.
Maximum power output of the RESS will increase from 225kW to 235kW in Attack Mode.
Activation of Attack Mode will be forbidden during Full Course Yellow and Safety Car periods.
For each minute spent under Full Course Yellow or Safety Car conditions, 1 kWh will be subtracted from the total available energy measured from the point at which the race was neutralised.
The homologation cycle for the Gen2 car will be extended to include season eight for reasons of cost control and to account for new manufacturers entering in season six. This decision does not exclude the following potential updates:
- Power increase
- Battery performance improvement
- Design evolution
A modification to the Technical Regulations was also approved, reducing the maximum number of MGUs (rotating electromechanical power converters) from two to one.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the World Motor Sport Council will be held on 4 October 2019 at the Permanent Exhibition of the Michael Schumacher Private Collection, MOTORWORLD, Cologne, Germany.
Source: FIA
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