Yves Matton: “The only option we have on the table”

Could the way in which the Swedish event took place, due to lack of winter conditions, encourage you to plan other rounds of this type in order to reduce costs and add dates to the calendar as you wish? ?

No, that's not what we're looking for. I consider that today, with 300-350 km timed, it is already a sprint. Afterwards, depending on the countries we want to go to, we may have to do things differently. If I take North America as an example, because it is an important market for manufacturers, does the current format of the WRC is adapted ? Can we reach the American audience who have a different approach to motorsport than us? I don't know anything about it today.

Would you be willing to relax the rally format to allow Sweden to travel to a location where there is snow?

If it maintains its current location, but must move towards an area guaranteeing winter conditions, it is possible that this will be done with displaced assistance. Wales does this on Saturday, so why not Sweden? On the other hand, I am against the idea of ​​changing the format which would involve different parks every day.

Why none rally replaced Chile?

First of all because it would have been difficult to revise the calendar. Then, we did not receive a proposal from an event that had already taken place or had been a candidate and which went well. We have had requests, but none of this order.

Where is the choice regarding the supplier of the hybrid system?

Manufacturers had until February 20 to respond to the call for tenders. From there, the decision will be made in a month. This concerns a kit in which there is the battery, the electric motor and all the necessary parts to connect it to the transmission. This hybrid kit will have an identical strategy and electronic management for everyone. This set will be managed by the FIA ​​for at least three years.

When will brands have to announce that they are candidates for 2022?

We will set a date in May or before the FIA ​​World Council in June.

This means that depending on the number of manufacturers registered, the competition will be launched or not?

It's not a question of throwing it or not. This is the only option we have on the table. There is no plan B. We ask them, because it is also interesting for them to know who will be there. After all the work that has been done, we have had rather good feedback from them, but so far their management has not yet made a decision.

If, in June, only two manufacturers say they will be there in 2022, what will you do? Should we actually consider a plan B?

This is not my only decision. I think that if two brands confirm their presence in 2022, we will continue on the path of this technology.

Where are you in relation to the schedule given when hybridization was announced?

We're a little late. You will have to wait until March before knowing the choice of kit supplier. Then, all the security elements also took three months to complete.

What do these elements correspond to?

At the start of the process leading to hybridization, manufacturers were left free to create their own roll cage. Finally, to reduce costs, it was decided that it would be the FIA ​​which would define the latter and which would carry out the crash tests. It will be common to all cars, which required us to consider the different sizes and shapes of cars. There are still discussions regarding the location of the seats or the position of the side bar on the driver's side. We produce the drawing, but the manufacturers will have to produce it. This set will be voted on in June, during the World Council.

What will the price of these new WRCs be?

Our goal is for it to be below 500 euros. Compared to current cars, we hoped to reduce the cost by 000%, but according to the calculations of a team manager, we will be instead at -40%. This includes the construction of the cars, but also the operating cost per kilometer.

Can't you cap prices and force brands to sell their cars?

Legally, it is very complicated to put in place and we will not do it. However, I am more interested in the number of cars that the manufacturers will enter in the championship. I hope they hire 4 and they are not against the idea. This is part of the process of cost reductions which should allow us to retain the brands present, attract others and allow firms that want to offer vehicles to their customers the opportunity to do so.

How are you going to go about bringing these prices down?

We can draw inspiration from what is done in Rally2 where the philosophy has made it possible to contain the prices of certain technical elements. We compared the price of parts on a Rally2 and a Rally1 and will see if it is justified. It will be necessary to give fewer choices for some, which will result in less research, development, testing, manufacturing and therefore money spent. It is possible to reduce the number of part changes during a rally.

Some don't add any marketing value, so why do they have to cost so much? I cite the example of the gas tank. On a WRC, its price is much higher than on a Rally2. Is this necessary? A reservoir is no one’s dream! Finally, we have a thought regarding materials. While retaining the idea of ​​the aero kit, we want to use fewer parts. I take the example of the broadcaster. Depending on its position, it must be changed at each service and this has a cost.

Regarding the hybrid system, when will it kick in when the car is moving?

We will not only use it in the service park and on the liaisons. It is not yet finalized, but from the first rally it should be triggered in certain well-defined areas in the special stages. Particular attention will have to be paid to the places where this can be used, rather slow portions.

Over what distance will this system be active?

Between 10 and 12 kilometers.

Initially, the idea was for the cars to maintain competitiveness. Is this still in your goals?

We indeed envisage that they will have a level of performance equivalent to the current WRCs.