Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital have secured the World Rally Championship’s commercial rights, a move hailed by the FIA as the “deal of the century.”
New promoter promises injection of capital
Under the freshly signed contract, the WRC’s promoter, WRC Promoter GmbH, will see a financial turnaround that the FIA says will “improve the Formula E agreement” and provide a “direct injection” into rallying. President Mohammed Ben Sulayem emphasized that funding will no longer be a “raw deal” but a partnership designed to elevate the championship’s global profile.
“It’s about working together with the promoter as one body, listening to the teams, the drivers, the fans and the media,” Ben Sulayem told Motorsport.com, stressing that the new arrangement would enable a more sustainable growth trajectory for rally sport.
FIA Growth Fund to nurture next generation
The FIA has launched a dedicated Growth Fund aimed at encouraging young talent to pursue rally careers. The fund will support projects that provide financial backing for drivers entering the Junior WRC and WRC 2 categories.
Ben Sulayem explained the fund’s purpose: “It’s not just about the money; it’s about incentives and confidence. Two sides exist – funding the championship itself and supporting the drivers who step into it.”
FIA Rally Star programme revisited
In January 2023, the FIA announced that the Rally Star initiative could return “in a new version,” after its 2021 iteration had successfully promoted six drivers aged 17‑26 from seven thousand applicants.
Two graduates – Romet Jurgenson, now a Junior WRC champion, and Taylor Gill, runner‑up last year and active in WRC 2 – exemplify the programme’s impact on the sport’s talent pipeline.
Impact on the championship
With the commercial agreement secured, the WRC will be able to allocate resources toward modernising rallies, enhancing safety protocols, and expanding global reach. The Growth Fund will, in turn, broaden access for aspiring ruffians, ensuring that the next wave of drivers can transition smoothly into the highest tiers of rallying.
“The promoter will understand us, go hand in hand with us, and, together, we’ll elevate the sport,” Ben Sulayem affirmed, underscoring the comprehensive strategy to sustain rally’s competitiveness.
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