日: 2024年12月11日

The FIA Extreme H World Cup has taken the next step as a landmark competition committed to showcasing hydrogen innovation and gender equality in motorsport.

Having signed a non-binding Heads of Terms, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) and Extreme H continue to collaborate on the framework of the competition, ensuring the values of the FIA Extreme H World Cup align with the FIA’s dedication to promoting sustainable, technologically-advanced, and inclusive racing platforms that reflect the future of global motorsport.

The FIA Extreme H World Cup will be the first hydrogen-powered racing series, utilising cutting-edge fuel cell technology to demonstrate the viability and potential of hydrogen as a zero-emission energy source. This event will set a new benchmark for the automotive industry and racing sector, underlining motorsport’s vital role as a testbed for clean energy solutions. The FIA is confident that Extreme H will inspire further investment in hydrogen infrastructure, critical for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

In addition to its technological advancements, the FIA Extreme H World Cup is committed to driving gender parity in motorsport, with all teams featuring an equal number of male and female drivers. This inclusive approach provides a level playing ground for talent to excel, enhancing opportunities for female drivers and inspiring a new generation of racers and fans to motorsport. By championing gender equality and environmental responsibility, the FIA Extreme H World Cup supports shared core values and vision for the future of motorsport.

Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President, said: “The FIA is committed to supporting initiatives that set new standards for sustainability and equality. We look forward to the positive impact the FIA Extreme H World Cup will have across motorsport, the automotive industry, and beyond, accelerating the transition to clean energy and fostering an inclusive racing culture.

“The FIA is at the forefront of advancing sustainable technologies. Motorsport must evolve and adapt to remain sustainable, and the adoption of hydrogen fuels is a key part of our future.”

Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO of the FIA Extreme H World Cup, said: “It is a very proud moment for us all as Extreme H becomes the FIA Extreme H World Cup. This recognition from motorsport’s governing body is an important stamp of approval and a major step forward in showcasing hydrogen’s potential while aligning with the highest global standards in motorsport.”

The FIA Extreme H World Cup is set to reveal further details on its plans in early 2025.

Extreme HAll fia sportSportOff-Road1SportOff-RoadAll fia sportExtreme H00Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – 3:56pmWednesday, December 11, 2024 – 3:56pm

At the occasion of the 2024 FIA General Assemblies week in Kigali, Rwanda, the FIA has announced the creation of an unprecedented Global Karting Plan that establishes a clearer and more accessible pathway into and throughout the FIA Karting system. Karting is the entry point for the vast majority of motor sport competitors, and the plan focuses on increasing accessibility to the discipline that will provide equal opportunities to drivers all over the world.

Through a gradual implementation phase over the next three years, with the first steps taken already in 2025, including first editions of the arrive and drive world cup as well as the Karting Excellence Centre selection.

Empowering ASNs to grow national competitions

The FIA Global Karting Plan has a core focus on providing National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) with the framework and tools to develop their activities at a local level. Central to this will be the creation of an FIA Karting Task Force – a dedicated group that is responsible for supporting ASNs with expertise and best practice regarding the implementation of the FIA’s initiatives. The scope of the taskforce will be to visit and support between three and five ASNs per continent each year.

The National Karting Ranking (NKR) system, which has grown rapidly over the past years with over 1000 drivers registered in 2024, will receive another boost with the introduction of FIA President’s Medals that will be awarded to each ASN that adopts the system. The NKR system creates an integral link between national-level karting and FIA competitions, and these medals will give a boost in recognition to drivers who perform on-track but may not have the opportunity to compete at the international FIA levels. 

Up to three medals will be awarded to each ASN that participates in the NKR system, with the winners guaranteed a pathway to progress through another key element of the FIA Global Karting Plan.

Karting Excellence Centre to prepare stars of the future

A Karting Excellence Centre is being created, with its first implementation in 2025. It will provide one-week educational programmes that teach drivers the fundamental skills – centred on driving, technical, physical and mental development – to help them succeed in the highly-competitive world of motor sport.

Ensuring that there is tangible, long-term progression for the young drivers who undergo training at the Excellence Centre, there will, at the end of each year, be a selection phase that serves as the final and unifying step in the different pathways throughout the FIA karting structure. During this selection, the winners will compete on equal terms for significant prizes across six days.

The drivers will be evaluated within the four core areas taught at the Excellence Centre – the top junior driver will receive financial support to continue their development in the FIA Karting system, while the best senior driver will receive financial support to progress into a national Formula 4 Championship – Certified by FIA.

Arrive and Drive adds to existing ecosystem

The Global Karting plan will create an alternative pathway for young drivers that will be based on the arrive and drive concept, designed to complement the existing ecosystem of competitions based on manufacturer and team models.

These arrive and drive competitions can be held from the club and commercially-organised level, through to ASN and promoter-run national and regional events, and finally FIA international levels. They will feature single-make karts with spec chassis and engines.

This parallel pathway simultaneously allows equal opportunities for both the mechanical enthusiast who enjoys the complexity of optimising and maintaining the machinery, as well as those who do not have the interest or competences to engage on the mechanical side.

FIA President, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “Karting is absolutely critical to the future of all motor sport. If you look now at our World Championships, all of the drivers who did not come through the grassroots pathways, and now with a truly global plan, we have shown that we are committed to increasing accessibility and opportunities, ensuring diversity and equality in motor sport. Karting is a sport which is open to all.”

FIA Karting Commission President, Akbar Ebrahim, said: “Karting’s unique importance in the motor sport pyramid means we must ensure its strong future. I am delighted to have launched this new Global Karting Plan that will continue to build on the strong foundations already in place, and help to eliminate economic barriers and expand participation all over the world. We are dedicated to broadening the base of the karting pyramid and welcoming new talent into the sport.”

Karting

FIA KartingKartingWorld Motor Sport CouncilSEASON 2025SportCircuit1SportKartingCircuitWorld Motor Sport CouncilSEASON 2025FIA KartingKarting00Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – 3:52pmWednesday, December 11, 2024 – 3:52pm

The World Motor Sport Council has today approved the Technical Regulations that will ensure a dynamic, flexible future for the FIA World Rally Championship.

After extensive consultation and collaboration between the WRC stakeholders, today’s confirmation of the rules, referred to as WRC27, have been proposed and agreed by the WRC Commission, which comprises voting members from all current manufacturers, the WRC Promoter and a representative of the crews. The rules will come into effect from the 2027 season.

The planned regulations cycle will last for ten years, ensuring a stable platform for manufacturers and teams to invest and grow the sport.

Style and substance

Flexibility is central to the technical future of the WRC. With the automotive industry more diverse and dynamic than ever, the safety cell concept from the current generation Rally1 cars has been refined into a common design that will reduce complexity and cost.

This then allows bodywork from almost any scaled production car to be fitted to the safety cell, meaning that hatchbacks could conceivably compete against saloons, SUVs, and there’s even the possibility for bespoke rally concept designs to take to the stages from 2027.

Built-in cost saving

Cost control has been identified by WRC stakeholders as one of the key limiting factors on participation in the top level of the category, and therefore the 2027 costs will be capped at €345k. This represents more than a 50 per cent reduction in costs when compared to the outgoing formula.

These cost savings will be achieved though component cost specifications rather than financial regulations. There will also be savings in the technical designs of certain components that will make them more durable over the course of a rally.

In addition to reducing the cost of the cars themselves, running costs for teams are set to be reduced by limiting personnel, reducing logistics transport costs, increasing the use of local facilities and increasing data connectivity to aid offsite engineering.

Powertrains of the future

The regulations confirmed today not only provide for variety of bodywork, but also of powertrains. The World Rally Championship was one of the pioneers of sustainably-fuelled motor sport, mandating its use in 2022, and with the 2027 regulations, there is built-in freedom between sustainably-fuelled internal combustion engines, hybrid powertrains or fully-electric solutions. The initial target is for competitors to utilise sustainably-fuelled ICE in 2027, with diversification including hybrid systems, or fully electric technologies, that could be introduced at a later stage.

This is a reflection of the current automotive landscape, with a plethora of different configurations catering for different situations in different markets. By remaining open to all of these options while holding environmental sustainability at its core, the WRC will continue to be a trailblazer for technology.

Off-road companions

The regulations approved by the World Motor Sport Council lay the groundwork for the potential for cross-over between the FIA World Rally Championship and the FIA World Rallycross Championship.

While it would still require further approvals and updates, the rules set the stage for a manufacturer or a team to run concurrent programmes, potentially with different powertrains catering for the specific needs of each championship.

In combination with a boost to grassroots off-road competition through the FIA Affordable Cross Car initiative, the regulations coming into effect from the 2027 season onwards are set to secure a dynamic future for rally competition, making it more exciting, accessible and safe.

FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “The regulations that we have approved today are critical to the long-term growth of the FIA World Rally Championship. They lay the foundations for an exciting future with a focus on cost containment, sustainability and growing participation at the top level of rallying.”

FIA President of the WRC Commission, Pernilla Solberg, said: “I would like to thank all the Commission members and the WRC Technical Working Group for the significant amount of work that has got us to this stage. We set some clear objectives based on what the competitors, organisers and fans were telling us, and this has resulted in a set of regulations that will massively reduce costs and allow independent teams to compete with manufacturers, while giving the WRC the flexibility to remain relevant regardless of the shifting automotive landscape. We still have some work to do, but I’m really excited for this future.”

Peter Thul, WRC Promoter Director of Sport, said: “Working with FIA and other stakeholders, WRC Promoter has been an active contributor in the process which was leading to these new technical regulations for 2027. The significant cost reduction is an important step to keep the current manufacturers in the championship and to encourage new manufacturers and brands to join the WRC. We thank all those involved from the FIA WRC Technical Working Group and believe that there is now a clear vision for the future.”

Cyril Abiteboul, President and Team Principal Hyundai Motorsport: “It is always positive for manufacturers to have a long-term roadmap for the championships that we can assess and improve altogether. We welcome the important efforts that have been made to reduce costs, as the sport needs to stabilize and develop its manufacturers base. We also look forward to developing the value of the sport by showcasing spectacular cars in exciting rally formats to increase the fanbase.

Malcolm Wilson, Managing Director M-Sport Ford WRT: “I think that the regulations approved to day are the correct way to go for the WRC. We need to have new entries, more teams and drivers competing at the top level, and these regulations for 2027 will encourage this. It will allow us to give more young drivers a chance, which is essential for the long-term success of the sport, and it’s also really important that we make the WRC more affordable, allowing teams to compete alongside manufacturers.”

Jari-Matti Latvala, Team Principal Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT: “We have been working hard with the FIA to contribute as much as we can towards the 2027 regulations. We believe the main headlines of draft regulations are well formulated and heading in the correct direction. We still believe there is important work to do in order to finalise and improve some of the details but at this stage that is totally normal.”

World Rally Championship

WRCRegulationsWRCSEASON 2024SportRallies1SportWorld Rally ChampionshipRalliesWRCSEASON 2024WRCRegulations00Wednesday, December 11, 2024 – 3:48pmWednesday, December 11, 2024 – 3:48pm

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