2023 World Rally Championship

Now in its 51st season, the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) continues to shine a spotlight on sustainability while also placing a firm focus on safety and performance.

At its heart is the Rally1 category, which sits at the top of the FIA Rally Pyramid and utilises regulations developed by the FIA in partnership with the competing manufacturers – Hyundai, M-Sport (Ford) and Toyota.

Rally1 cars are equipped with a plug-in hybrid kit that increases power output to more than 500bhp. They can run in electric mode only, a requirement in Hybrid Electric Vehicle zones located close to event service parks. The use of 100 per cent fossil-free fuel reduces harmful emissions, meanwhile.

The Rally1 category delivered close and open competition throughout 2022 with all three manufacturers winning events. Significantly, this was done using three very different vehicle types – B-Class, C-Class and Compact Crossover – in keeping with the philosophy of the regulations.

Major safety gains were also achieved in the design of Rally1 machinery by using a tubular safety cell – the result of months of intensive research and development – which reduces accident intrusion by up to 50 per cent.

An ‘HY’ graphic on the side door panels was used to identify Rally1 cars as part of a major e-safety campaign rolled out by event organisers to highlight the use of hybrid technology and the possible associated safety risks. Warning lights on the windscreen and both side pillars turn green if the car is safe to touch. A flashing red light and audible warning means a car is unsafe to touch.

With points and championship titles up for grabs for drivers in Rally1, Rally2 and Rally3 cars, the WRC’s global tour features 13 rounds from January to November in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

All four-wheel-drive cars competing on WRC events must use tyres specified by Pirelli, the official supplier.

Titles up for grabs

FIA World Rally Championship for Drivers

FIA World Rally Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers

FIA World Rally Championship for Teams

FIA WRC2 Championship for Drivers

FIA WRC2 Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA WRC2 Challenger Championship for Drivers

FIA WRC2 Challenger Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA WRC2 Championship for Teams

FIA WRC Masters Cup for Drivers

FIA WRC Masters Cup for Co-Drivers

FIA WRC3 Championship for Drivers

FIA WRC3 Championship for Co-Drivers

FIA Junior WRC Championship for Drivers

FIA Junior WRC Championship for Co-Drivers

What’s new for 2023?

*WRC2 Junior becomes WRC2 Challenger as the criteria switches focus on competitor experience rather than age

*WRC2 Masters for drivers 50 or over in Rally2 cars expands to also allow Rally3, Rally4, Rally5 and RGT cars. The name has changed to WRC Masters as a result

*Central European Rally featuring stages in Austria, Czech Republic and Germany joins the WRC schedule for the first time

*To further promote sustainability, testing away from nominated test venues for Rally1 manufacturers is cut from 28 to 21 days

*In the interests of reducing the hours that volunteer officials must be in duty, morning service on gravel events is removed from the itinerary

FIA WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP 2023 SUPPORT CATEGORIES EXPLAINED

FIA WRC2 Championship

*Flagship category for Rally2 cars on all 13 rounds

*Drivers and co-drivers must be registered in WRC2 with the FIA

*Best six scores from seven nominated events are counted

FIA WRC2 Challenger Championship

*New name for WRC2 Junior is for drivers and co-drivers registered in WRC2 with the FIA

*Previous winners of the WRC2 or WRC3 titles (in Rally2 cars) cannot take part

*Drivers previously nominated for WRC manufacturer points also not eligible

*Best six scores from seven nominated events are considered

FIA WRC2 Championship for Teams

*Teams must be registered to compete in WRC2 with the FIA

*They must nominate two drivers on a maximum of seven events to score points

*Points scored on five out of six rounds in Europe are counted plus points scored on a bonus seventh event outside Europe previously nominated as one of the seven scoring rounds

FIA WRC Masters Cup

*For drivers and co-drivers registered with the FIA born on or before 01/01/73

*As well as Rally2 cars, drivers can use Rally3, Rally4, Rally5 and RGT cars

*Points scored on five out of six rounds in Europe are counted plus points scored on a bonus seventh event outside Europe previously nominated as one of the seven scoring rounds

FIA WRC3 Open Championship

*Catering for Rally3 cars on all 13 rounds

*Open to drivers and co-drivers registered in WRC3 with the FIA

*They can nominate five events on which to score points and count their best four results

FIA Junior WRC Championship

*Arrive-and-drive category providing an opportunity for young drivers to build experience and showcase their ability in Ford Fiesta Rally3 cars run by M-Sport Poland on Pirelli tyres

*Drivers must register to compete in Junior WRC and sign the driver agreement

*They must have been born on or after 01/01/94

*Drivers competing with P1 status or nominated to score manufacturer points are not eligible

*Championship contested over five rounds with double points up for grabs on the final round for drivers and co-drivers who have started a minimum of three rounds

*One point on offer for each fastest stage time set

*Junior WRC champion gets four fully-funded Ford Fiesta Rally2 prize drives in WRC2 in 2024 with M-Sport as their prize

WRC2/WRC3 entry list lettering:

D = Drivers’ championship

C = Co-Drivers’ championship

T = Teams’ championship

DC = Challenger championship Drivers

CC = Challenger championship Co-Drivers

DM = Masters Cup Drivers

CM = Masters Cup Co-Drivers

J = Junior WRC Drivers/Co-Drivers

More information: