FIA promises WRC investment following commercial rights sale 

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has promised an investment into the World Rally Championship following the sale of the series’ commercial rights. 

The world motorsport governing body announced last week that a tender process is now underway to find a new WRC commercial rights holder.

Current rights holder WRC Promoter, owned by Red Bull and German investment company KW25, has been gearing up for a sale for more than a year, with seven years remaining on its current commercial rights contract. 

Autosport understands that several potential suitors from Europe, America and the Middle East have declared interest in purchasing the WRC Promoter. A number of interested parties have attended events this year. 

Making a visit to this weekend’s inaugural WRC round in Paraguay, Ben Sulayem confirmed that an all-new commercial rights contract will be drawn up between the FIA and the new promoter that could extend to 25 years.

Ben Sulayem also confirmed that funds generated by the sale of the WRC’s commercial rights for the FIA will be directly invested back into the championship.

“I said to the [current] promoter every year that passes, your product is worth less, it is simple,” said Ben Sulayem, who has been FIA president since 2021.

“A year and half ago there was eight and half years [remaining on the contract] and now it is less than seven and a half. You really think you can sell this product with seven? No, you can only have a good product with years to sell. 

“The WRC is a good product but without the backing of how many years, you don’t have very much to sell. To inject 18 years for them [on the contract] we [the FIA] need something more tangible. 

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

“Money is not what the FIA wants, it wants sustainability of the business. To me when this thing [sale] is going to happen, I can promise you now there will be an injection from the money that we get back into the championship.”

Ben Sulayem to meet with manufacturers to grow the WRC

The commercial rights sale process arrives at a time when the WRC is gearing up for a seismic shift in technical regulations for 2027, designed to be more affordable with cars built to the €345,000 cost cap in the hope of attracting more manufacturers and teams.

Since Citroen left the championship at the end of 2019, the WRC’s top class has been operating with factory teams from Toyota and Hyundai, while Ford has been represented by M-Sport. 

Sébastien Ogier, Julien Ingrassia, Citroën World Rally Team Citroen C3 WRC

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

At the moment, Toyota is the only marque from the current group known to be working on a project for 2027. Hyundai has made its reservations clear over the lack of flexibility in technology for the new 2027 cars that will be powered initially by a traditional internal combustion engine. 

Ben Sulayem is confident the 2027 regulations is the right step to grow the championship, but admits it will take time. He hinted that there is positive news on the horizon and he is continuing to meet with manufacturers to discuss the future.

“We want to make a fresh start,” the Emirati said. “The regulations [2027] are better when it comes to accessibility. The car costs are 60% less. What we want to see is the sustainability of the championship and that comes with affordability and bringing more teams. We need steady regulations that can go for many years. 

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

When asked if there was any good news regarding manufacturer participation in 2027, he added: “I cannot reveal as I have meetings with the manufacturers.

“I’m talking with the top people, with all the respect to the team principals. I’m supposed to have a meeting with Ford talking with the president Jim Farley and Malcolm [Wilson, FIA deputy president] is supporting.

Malcolm Wilson

Photo by: M-Sport

“With Toyota, I will be having a meeting with Mr Akio Toyoda and then I’m hoping to have a meeting of course with Cyril [Abiteboul team principal at Hyundai], but I will go [to see upper management]. If it means I need to go to Korea, I will go.

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

“If we want to attract them we have to have something serious. We need to make sure it appeals to them and the investment is there, and I am confident.”