Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital have seized the World Rally Championship, concluding the biggest transaction in the sport’s history since the FIA announced the sale of WRC Promoter GmbH.
New stewardship vows to preserve rally DNA
Eric Boullier, former Lotus and McLaren boss, outlined plans to keep the rally’s spirit intact while modernising its reach. “We will never change the DNA of rally,” he told the media, emphasising that any adjustments will not alter the core of the sport.
Under Boullier’s leadership, the programme will tweak event formats and redesign the service area into a “WRC Arena,” aimed at making fan experiences more engaging without shifting the traditional nature of rallies.
Enhancing accessibility and media reach
The new owners intend to keep spectator access free wherever feasible, following the model of select events that offer a single, day‑long stage. This format will enable simplified transport, clearer broadcasting angles, and a tighter product for remote viewers.
Upgrades to the media platform will focus on digital growth, higher social media engagement, and on‑screen narratives that attract both hardcore enthusiasts and new audiences. Boullier said the shift to a “new century” focus would give the championship an edge in a crowded sports landscape.
Cost‑managed cars to invite manufacturers
From 2027, the WRC will roll out a new technical package that caps budgets at €345,000, using a cost‑controlled space‑frame chassis that aligns with Rally2 engineering. The declaration follows Toyota’s commitment and the involvement of tuners Project Rally One and RMC Motorsport.
Boullier explained that reduced expenditure, combined with a “global platform” spanning 14–15 rallies worldwide, creates a stable attraction for manufacturers seeking to showcase technology on an international stage.
Looking ahead: more marques on the grid
Discussions with additional automakers are already underway. “We agenda a stable 10‑year alliance with the FIA and a platform attractive to OEMs,” Boullier told Motorsport.com. The intent is to carve a space where manufacturers can host events, host hospitality, and promote their brand while competing.
Pending confirmation of new entries, the WRC could soon expand beyond Toyota, Hyundai, and Ford‑M‑Sport to include other global players.
With the WRC steering toward a cost‑managed global platform, the next wave of manufacturers could reshape the sport’s future.
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