Ribeiro: “Making WTCR more accessible” in 2020

We left the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR) on a simply stunning finale in Malaysia mid-December. Two months later, it is no longer time for celebration and satisfaction at Eurosport Events. It is indeed a delicate period that the top of the TCR pyramid is going through.

While the official tests are still planned at Motorland Aragon (Spain) at the end of March, the entry list is struggling to fill up. The deadline for entries was pushed back to March 6, while in 2019, the grid of 26 competitors was complete by January 31.

Il y a donc un réel souci. Le changement de mentalité des constructeurs vers le Tourisme électrique (Hyundai, Cupra, Romeo Ferraris), sinon à sortir la pompe à essence des réservoirs thermiques (Volkswagen) est une des raisons fondamentales. The Optimism and Advanced Readiness of the Future Pure ETCR electric have also reflected this.

To cope with the departure of the official armadas, and to facilitate the return of human-sized structures, Eurosport Events, the company in charge of organizing the WTCR, has changed the format of meetings this season. François Ribeiro, boss of Eurosport Events, details the health of the WTCR and these new rules.

What is the situation in the WTCR two months before its opening?

The WTCR version 2019, keep a superb memory, because having 7 different brands, 20 professional drivers, it will take exceptional circumstances for this scenario to happen again this year. 

So this won't be the case in 2020?

No. There is less money from manufacturers towards thermal motorsport. This is only going to accelerate, whether we watch for it or not, whether we accept it or ignore it. It is a fact. We need to lower costs to make the WTCR more accessible, and to make the idea of ​​entering a smaller decision to make. 

This therefore involves a reduction in driving time…

If we don't do it, reality will catch up with us and can take us down. When there are 20 drivers together in the same second, the last tenth is expensive. The teams went to find engineers who were worth 800 to 1 euros per day! We have enjoyed the last two years.

I said to myself in 2018: the cost of a TCR is so low (limited to 130 euros. Editor's note), let's do three races. Everyone was up for it. But with one more race, it was necessary to extend the weekend schedule to 000 and a half days. So the teams hired to be available in the event of a big crash, spent more time on site, therefore spent more, etc.

We can cover our eyes and continue like this. I have a third of the field who wanted to keep the 3 races. But a grid requires a balance to satisfy everyone. 

When did you decide on these changes?

Last week (mid-February, editor's note), I explained the situation to the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) by explaining to them that these solutions, which I had planned for 2021, had to be brought forward by a year. . 

Does the coronavirus have an impact on your championship?

It hit us hard (he imitates a slap. Editor’s note). Hyundai (three titles in two years) has closed its seventh factory in South Korea. I'm not going to draw a picture about Geely: 100% of Lynk & Co's sales are in China. Half of Audi's profits were made in China last year.

All the promoters are waiting. We have to go there in September (to Ningbo, stronghold of Lynk & Co); I am not at peace. What will be the situation in the country at that time? Great care must be taken.