Gaurav Gill guns for APRC title again as season begins with South India Rally: April 23-25
World Council clears Calendars for WRC, other disciplines
Paris, 5 March 2021: The World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) has finalised different calendars for various motorsports disciplines and one that India will be most-interested is the revised date for Asia Pacific Rally Championship 2021 (APRC) which will kick-start the five-round season with the first round at Chennai from April 23 to 25, simultaneously run with Asia Zone and INRC events.
The Madras Motor Sports Club will host the South India Rally Championship on these dates and simultaneously run the APRC opening round to become a new venue for the FIA continental championship in India. India last hosted the APRC in Chikmagalur in 2017. Three-times APRC champion and Arjuna Awardee, Gaurav Gill, will be aiming for a fourth title as he rejoins the APRC campaign, albeit in Yellow colours, this time as a brand ambassador for JK Tyre. Gill joined the elite Indian club by winning his 7th INRC title to become the highest decorated rally driver along with Naren Kumar.
The FIA President reminded council members that in the 12-months since the last physically-attended WMSC meeting in March 2020, the FIA has maintained a strong level of governance across all disciplines and all regions despite these unprecedented times.
The FIA President led a one-minute silence which was observed by members in memory of all those from the global motor sport community who have fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also paid tribute to the Finnish rally driver Hannu Mikkola who passed away recently. The President said: “Hannu was a great champion and a gentleman. I’ve had the privilege of being his co-driver many years ago. My thoughts are with his loved ones and the families of the members of the FIA community who passed away due to the pandemic.”
The following is a summary of the decisions taken during the meeting:
FIA Formula One World Championship
The World Council has agreed to grant a one-year extension to the existing exclusive tyre supply contract with Pirelli to reflect the original intention of the 2018 tyre tender and remain within the overall technical framework in the best interests of all relevant stakeholders. The COVID-19 pandemic obliged the FIA and Formula 1 to implement emergency measures that included the cancellation of tyre development tests last year and the postponement of planned new technical regulations – which included 18-inch tyres – from 2021 to 2022. As a result, 13-inch tyres will be used during the 2021 season, with a move to 18-inch tyres in 2022.
The FIA Safety Department presented the findings of the investigation into the incident involving Romain Grosjean at the 2020 FIA Formula 1 Bahrain Grand Prix – further details of which can be found here.
Following the confirmation of Portugal as the venue for round three, the revised 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship calendar is as follows:
Formula 1 – 2021 Calendar
| GP # | Date | Venue- Country | Track |
| 1 | 28 March 2021 | Bahrain | Sakhir |
| 2 | 18 April | Italy | Imola |
| 3 | 2 May | Portugal | Portimao |
| 4 | 9 May | Spain | Barcelona |
| 5 | 23 May | Monaco | Monaco |
| 6 | 6 June | Azerbaijan | Baku |
| 7 | 13 June | Canada | Montreal |
| 8 | 27 June | France | Le Castellet |
| 9 | 4 July | Austria | Spielberg |
| 10 | 18 July | Great Britain | Silverstone |
| 11 | 1 August | Hungary | Budapest |
| 12 | 29 August | Belgium | Spa-Francorchamps |
| 13 | 5 September | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
| 14 | 12 September | Italy | Monza |
| 15 | 26 September | Russia | Sochi |
| 16 | 3 October | Singapore | Singapore |
| 17 | 10 October | Japan | Suzuka |
| 18 | 24 October | USA | Austin |
| 19 | 31 October | Mexico | Mexico City |
| 20 | 7 November | Brazil | São Paulo |
| 21 | 21 November | Australia | Melbourne |
| 22 | 5 December | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah* |
| 23 | 12 December | Abu Dhabi | Yas Marina |
FIA World Rally Championship
The Council approved the final Rally1 technical regulations, including an update of the 1.6 turbo engine details.
FIA Rally – 2022 WRC and ERC Sporting Pyramid
The principles of a Rally Sporting Pyramid, to be implemented for the FIA World Rally Championship with complementary details for the FIA European Rally Championship, have been approved. The ambition of this new structure is to align the championships names with the car categories names (e.g. Rally2 cars compete in WRC2), to identify a common theme of Open and Junior categories between the series, and to reinforce the positioning of the FIA European Rally Championship both as a feeder series for the WRC and a goal in itself by creating a clear pathway.
In application of these principles, the WRC2 classification, open to the Rally2 category, will feature an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 30. The WRC3 classification, open to the Rally3 class, will also feature an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 29.
Similarly, the ERC3 classification, open to the Rally3 category, will feature an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 28, while the ERC4 classification, open to the Rally4 and Rally5 classes, will equally have an Open Championship and a Junior Championship for drivers under 27.
In addition to age limits, experience restrictions will be implemented in the Junior Championships. As a result, former champions will not be allowed to put their titles back into play.
For both the WRC and ERC classifications, awards for Rookies, with less than three participations before the start of the season, and Masters, for drivers over 40 years old not included on the FIA Regional Priority List, will be created.
As a next step, details will be defined to reflect these principles in the sporting regulations.
FIA World Endurance Championship
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, it was necessary to revise the 2021 calendar. A revised calendar has been approved as follows:
| 26-27 April | Belgium | Official Prologue – Spa-Francorchamps* |
| 1 May | Belgium | TOTAL 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps |
| 13 June | Portugal | 8 Hours of Portimão* |
| 18 July | Italy | 6 Hours of Monza |
| 21-22 August | France | 24 Hours of Le Mans* |
| 26 September | Japan | 6 Hours of Fuji |
| 20 November | Bahrain | 8 Hours of Bahrain |
FIA Women in Motorsport Commission
The final phase of the 2020 FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars programme came to a successful conclusion at the Ferrari Driver Academy in Maranello, Italy. Postponed from November 2020 to January, due to the pandemic, the five-day assessment was the final step for the four finalists after nearly a year of selection and evaluation. During a live broadcast on the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission’s Facebook page, Dutch/Belgian born Maya Weug was announced as the winner and became the first-ever female driver to become a student of the Academy. Weug will also contest a 2021 Formula 4 championship certified by the FIA. The three other finalists, Doriane Pin, Antonella Bassani and Julia Ayoub, were each awarded by Ferrari a test session in a 488 Challenge EVO.
The FIA Girls on Track – Rising Stars is a four-year programme and 2021 will host a second call for talent among the FIA ASNs and the same process will result in a second female driver potentially becoming part of the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2022.
Michèle Mouton, the Commission President, received widespread praise from council members for her vision and leadership of the Girls on Track project.
FIA Digital Motorsport Commission
The Commission President Anna Nordkvist, of Sweden, was introduced to WMSC members. The task of the new Commission is to grow participation at grassroots level and position the FIA as a key stakeholder in the Digital and Esports industry. It was also agreed that one of the aims of the Commission should be to encourage participation among female Esports competitors.
FIA Karting Championships
Approval was given for the re-scheduling of two events on the 2021 calendar.
The FIA Karting European Championship event (OK & OK-JUNIOR) on the Circuito Internacional Zuera (Spain), originally scheduled for 15-18 April 2021 has been rearranged for 22-25 July 2021.
The FIA Karting European Championship event (KZ & KZ2) and FIA Karting Academy Trophy on the Adria Karting Raceway (Italy), originally scheduled for 29 April-2 May 2021, has been rearranged for 12-15 August 2021.
The revised 2021 calendars are as follows:
| FIA Karting World Championship – OK | ||
| 28-31 October | Brazil | Birigui |
| FIA Karting World Championship – Junior | ||
| 28-31 October | Brazil | Birigui |
| FIA Karting World Championship – KZ | ||
| 02-05 September | Sweden | Kristianstad |
| FIA Karting European Championship – OK | ||
| 13-16 May | Belgium | Genk |
| 27-30 May | France | Aunay-Les-Bois* |
| 08-11 July | Italy | Sarno |
| 22-25 July | Spain | Zuera |
| FIA Karting European Championship – Junior | ||
| 13-16 May | Belgium | Genk |
| 27-30 May | France | Aunay-Les-Bois* |
| 08-11 July | Italy | Sarno |
| 22-25 July | Spain | Zuera |
| FIA Karting European Championship – KZ | ||
| 17-20 June | Germany | Wackersdorf |
| 12-15 August | Italy | Adria |
| FIA Karting European Championship – KZ2 | ||
| 17-20 June | Germany | Wackersdorf |
| 12-15 August | Italy | Adria |
| FIA Karting European Championship – Superkart | ||
| 22-24 October | France | Le Mans – Bugatti* |
| FIA Karting International Super Cup – KZ2 | ||
| 02-05 September | Sweden | Kristianstad |
| FIA Karting Academy Trophy | ||
| 17-20 June | Germany | Wackersdorf |
| 12-15 August | Italy | Adria |
| 02-05 September | Sweden | Kristianstad |
FIA WTCR – World Touring Car Cup
There are several minor updates to the WTCR Sporting Regulations, including an extension to the registration deadline for full season entries as a result of the later start to the season previously announced. The new deadline is May 2, 2021.
FIA World Cup for Cross-Country – Rallies and Bajas
Date changes to the 2021 calendars were approved. The BP Ultimate Portugal Cross-Country Rally, previously the opening round of the World Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, will now take place from 16-21 September due to the implementation of further COVID-19 restrictions in the country.
The Hungarian Baja, a qualifying round of the World Cup for Cross-Country Bajas and the newly introduced European Cup for Cross-Country Bajas, has been moved to 5-8 August for operational reasons.
FIA Single-Seater Commission
FIA Formula 3 World Cup
The FIA Formula 3 World Cup has been confirmed on the International Sporting Calendar and is scheduled to take place on 21 November 2021 in Macau, China (subject to contract with the promoter).
Formula 4
Sporting and Technical Regulations for the Formula 4 element of the 2021 FIA Motorsport Games were approved.
FIA Rally Commission
In the FIA Regional Rally Championships, changes to the following 2021 calendars due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have been approved:
FIA European Rally Championship
| 06-08 May (initially 25-27 March) | Portugal | Azores Rallye |
| 18-20 June | Poland | 78 Rally Poland1 |
| 01-03 July | Latvia | Rally Liepaja1 |
| 23-25 July | Italy | Rally di Roma Capitale1 |
| 27-29 August | Czech Rep. | Barum Czech Rally Zlin1 |
| 24-26 September (initially 12-14 March) | Portugal | Rallye Fafe |
| 22-24 October | Hungary | Rally Hungary1 |
| 18-20 November (initially 06-08 May) | Spain | Rally Islas Canarias1 |
1 Round of the FIA ERC Junior Championships
FIA European Rally Trophy – Benelux Rally Trophy
| 09-10 July | Luxembourg | Rallye Lëtzebuerg |
| 28-29 August | Belgium | Aarova Rally |
| 05-07 November | Belgium | Rallye du Condroz |
FIA European Rally Trophy – Celtic Rally Trophy
| 18-20 June | Ireland | Donegal International Rally |
| 25-26 September | Ireland | Cork 20 International Rally |
| 19-20 November (initially 20-21 August) | Great Britain | Ulster International Rally |
FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship – Asia Cup
| 23-25 April (initially 26-28 March) | India | South Inda Rally |
| 10-12 September | Japan | Rally Hokkaido |
| 22-24 October | China | Rally Longyou |
FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship – Pacific Cup
| 15-17 October | Australia | Adelaide Hills Rally |
| 27-28 November (initially 20-21 Nov.) | Australia | Coffs Harbour Rally |
FIA Asia-Pacific Rally Championship – Final
| 27-28 November (initially 20-21 Nov.) | Australia | Coffs Harbour Rally |
FIA Middle East Rally Championship
| 28-30 January | Qatar | Manateq Qatar International Rally |
| 20-22 May | Jordan | Jordan Rally |
| 03-05 September | Lebanon | Rally of Lebanon |
| 24-26 September | Cyprus | Cyprus Rally |
| 04-06 November | Kuwait | Rally of Kuwait |
| TBA (initially 18-20 February) | Oman | Rally of Oman |
FIA African Rally Championship
| 23-25 April | Kenya | Equator Rally Kenya |
| 25-26 July | Tanzania | Rally of Tanzania |
| 20-22 August | Uganda | Pearl of Africa Uganda Rally |
| 24-26 September | Zambia | Zambia International Rally |
| 05-06 November | South Africa | Rally of South Africa |
| TBA (initially 19-21 March) | Rwanda | Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally |
FIA NACAM Rally Championship
| 19-20 March (initially 12-13 March) | Mexico | Rally Colima |
| 02-04 July | Canada | Rallye Int. Baie des Chaleurs |
| 13-14 August | Mexico | Rally Guanajuato |
| 03-04 September (initially 26-28 August) | Mexico | Rally Sierra Juarez |
| 25-26 September (initially 28-30 May) | Barbados | Rally Barbados |
| 27-28 November | Mexico | Rally Montanas |
FIA RGT Cup
| 21-24 January | Monaco | Rallye Monte-Carlo |
| 07-09 May | France | Rallye Ain Jura |
| 23-25 July | Italy | Rally di Roma Capitale |
| 13-15 August (initially 25-26 June) | Belgium | Ypres Rally |
| 14-17 October | Spain | RallyRACC Catalunya |
Note: The other FIA Regional Rally Championship calendars remain unchanged.
FIA GT Commission
For a new competition designed for electric-powered GT cars, the council has selected the Promoter and will work towards concluding the next steps as soon as possible.
Council has chosen the exclusive battery cell supplier.
Sporting regulations have been approved for both GT3 competitions scheduled for this year’s FIA Motorsport Games, the GT Cup for Silver/Bronze driver pairings and the GT Sprint Cup for a single driver of any ranking.
FIA Touring Car Commission
For a new competition designed for electric-powered Touring Cars, the council has selected the Promoter and will work towards concluding the next steps as soon as possible.
Sporting regulations have been approved for the FIA Motorsport Games: Touring Car Cup.
FIA Off-Road Commission
Amendments to the Technical Regulations for the FIA RX2e Championship, the first-ever FIA electric rallycross championship, which starts in 2021, were approved. Six race weekends are planned for the inaugural RX2e season, running alongside FIA World RX.
FIA Hill Climb Commission
An amendment to the FIA Hill Climb Regulations (Championship, Cup and Masters) was approved. The change allows FIA technical delegates to install randomly data loggers on cars to check the engine RPM during the competition. For Category 1 cars, this will allow crosschecking the RPM values submitted by competitors when registering their car in the “Performance Factor” system that decides in which Group the car is classified. In Category 2, checking RPM values is part of the on-going process of performance analysis of the cars.
The following calendar changes for the FIA European Hill Climb Championship for 2021 have been approved.
2021 FIA European Hill Climb Championship (updated)
| 07-09 May | Portugal | Rampa da Boticas |
| 14-16 May | Spain | Subida Internacional al Fito |
| 28-30 May | Czech Republic | Ecce Homo Sternberk (1) |
| 11-13 June | Germany | Glasbachrennen |
| 25-27 June | Italy | Coppa Paolino Teodori (1) |
| 16-18 July | Slovakia | Dobšinský kopec (1) |
| 23-25 July | Poland | Limanowa |
| 13-15 August | Switzerland | St. Ursanne – Les Rangiers |
| 27-29 August | Slovenia | GHD Petrol Ilirska Bistrica |
| 17-19 September | Croatia | Buzetski dani |
(1) Subject to obtaining guarantees from the organisers via their ASN regarding the organisational and/or safety improvements.
FIA Historic Motor Sport Commission
The following calendar changes for FIA Historic Championships in 2021 have been approved.
2021 FIA European Historic Sporting Rally Championship calendar (updated)
| 09-11 April | Italy | 36° Sanremo Rally Storico |
| 06-08 May | Czech Republic | 30. Historic Vltava Rally |
| 24-26 June | Hungary | 54. Mecsek Rallye |
| 15-17 July | Austria | Rally Weiz |
| 13-14 August | Finland | Lahti Historic Rally |
| 02-04 September | Spain | Rally Asturias Historico |
| 23-25 September | Italy | 33° Rally Elba Storico |
| 21-23 October | Switzerland | Rallye International du Valais |
| 19-20 November | Spain | 69 Rally Costa Brava |
2021 FIA Historic Hill Climb Championship calendar (updated)
| 28-30 May | Czech Republic | Ecce Homo Sternberk |
| 18-20 June | Slovenia | GHD Gorjanci |
| 02-04 July | Italy | Trento Bondone |
| 09-11 July | Italy | Cesana Sestriere |
| 27-29 August | Slovenia | GHD Petrol Ilirska Bistrica |
| 17-19 September | Croatia | Buzetski Dani |
| 24-26 September | Italy | Coppa Chianti Classico |
2021 FIA Trophy for Historic Regularity Rallies (updated)
| 11-13 November | Poland | 10th Rally Poland Historic |
2021 FIA Historic Formula 3 European Cup
| 16-18 July | Netherlands | Zandvoort |
FIA Truck Racing Commission
Following a successful tender process, an exclusive supplier of biofuel for the FIA European Truck Racing Championship, covering the term from 2021-2023, has been selected, making FIA ETRC the first FIA-regulated competition to switch to a fuel fully originated from renewable sources (HVO biofuel). The announcement will be made in due course.
FIA Drag Racing Commission
In order to standarise class structure and regulations across national drag racing competitions, amended Technical Regulations and Race Procedures for FIA Drag Racing have been approved, with the addition of new “Sportsman” and “Grassroots” categories. The aim of this work is to support ASNs by:
- Enabling national level competitors to be able to compete across borders more easily, increasing entry numbers for all events
- Assisting national level technical officials to maintain a higher safety and regulatory standard
- Minimising the resources that an ASN must invest in Drag Racing by having the regulations instead maintained by the FIA, and
- Increasing the resale value of competition cars by making them eligible to compete in more markets.
FIA Drifting Commission
Sporting regulations have been approved for both the FIA Intercontinental Drifting Cup and the FIA Motorsport Games: Drifting Cup.
Sport Clubs Development Programme
The WMSC members were informed that applications had opened for the Sport Clubs Development Programme (SCDP) – an FIA Innovation Fund (FIF) initiative which provides support for the management and development of motor sport activities through an intensive, two-year mentoring process from FIA Experts. The closing date for applications is March 31.
Upcoming World Motor Sport Council Meetings
Dates of the FIA World Motor Sport Council meetings in 2021 are as follows:
| 09 July | Monaco, on the occasion of the FIA Sport and Mobility Conference |
| 15 October | Paris |
| 15 December | Paris, on the occasion of the FIA Annual General Assembly |
