FIA promises in investment after selling commercial rights

FIA President Mohammad Ben Sulem has promised to invest in the World Rally Championship after the sale of commercial rights of the series.

The World Motorsport Governing Body announced last week that a tender process was going on to find a new WRC commercial rights holder.

The WRC promoter, owned by Red Bull and German Investment Company KW25, has been gearing up for sale for more than a year, seven years left on the contract of its current commercial rights.

Autosport understands that many possible suits from Europe, America and Middle East have announced interest in purchasing WRC promoters. Many interested parties have participated in incidents this year.

Traveling to the WRC round of this weekend in Paraguay, Ben Sulem confirmed that a new commercial rights contract would be prepared between FIA and the new promoter that could increase for 25 years.

Ben Sulem also confirmed that the money generated from the sale of WRC’s commercial rights for the FIA ​​would be directly invested back to the championship.

Ben Sulem said, “I told every year (current) promoter, which is less than your product, it is simple, it is simple.”

“One year and half ago there was eight and half years (balance on contract) and now it is less than seven and a half. You really think that you can sell this product with seven? No, you can have only a good product with years to sell.

“WRC is a good product, but without how many years you do not have much to sell. For them, we need something more tangible to inject 18 years (on contract).

“The FIA ​​was never a part of the future with the promoter, now things have changed, WRC and every promoter contract would be fair and more balanced towards FIA and not only towards the promoter. We support the promoter, don’t consider me wrong.

“Money is not what the FIA ​​wants, it wants the stability of the business. For me, when this thing (sales) is going to be done, I can promise you that there will now be an injection with the money that we get back in the championship.”

Ben Sulem to meet with manufacturers to develop WRC

The commercial rights sales process comes at a time when the WRC is getting ready for a seismic change in technical regulations for 2027, designed to be more affordable with cars manufactured for € 345,000 cost cap in the hope of attracting more manufacturers and teams.

Since Citroen left the championship in late 2019, the top class of WRC is working with factory teams from Toyota and Hyundai, while Ford is represented by M-Sport.

Currently, Toyota is the only market to work on a project for 2027. Hyundai has clarified its reservation on the lack of flexibility in technology for new 2027 cars that will be conducted initially by a traditional internal combustion engine.

Ben Sulem is confident that the 2027 Rules are the right step to develop the championship, but believe that it will take time. He indicated that there are positive news on the horizon and it continues with the manufacturers to discuss the future.

“We want to make a new beginning,” said Amiri. “Rules (2027) are better when it comes to access. The cost of the car is 60% less. What we want to see is the stability of the championship and it comes with strength and brings more teams. We need stable rules that can go for many years.

“Are we taking the right steps? Yes. When will we achieve it? It will take time.”

Asked if there was any good news about the manufacturer’s participation in 2027, he said: “I cannot reveal because I have meetings with the manufacturers.

“I am talking to the top people with all the honors of the team principals. I am going to hold a meeting with Ford with President Jim Farley and Malcolm (Wilson, FIA Vice President).

“With Toyota, I will have a meeting with Mr. Akio Toyoda and then I am hoping that there will be a meeting with Cyril (Principal of Abitebol team in Hyundai), but I will go (to see upper management). If I need to go to Korea, I will go.

“Are we talking to Skoda? Yes. Lennsia, yes, Citroen Yes, but why they will come? There should be a reason – sustainable technical regulation.

“If we want to attract them then we should be something serious. We need to ensure that it appeals and investment for them, and I believe it.”