François Ribeiro, the boss of the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR), and the FIA Touring Car Commission are ‘trying to protect WTCR from itself’ after identifying cost control as a key issue for the young series.
Several new measures have been introduced for the 2019 season. There will be further testing restrictions, preventing teams from visiting circuits on the WTCR calendar prior to the series’ race weekend once the season has started.
Team staff numbers are also restricted to ten people per car per weekend, with those staff also needing to wear armbands clearly indicating their role and designated vehicle.
François Ribeiro, Head of WTCR promoter Eurosport Events, says that he has been seeking to protect the championship from ‘crazy’ cost escalation, which could otherwise harm the series, which has revealed an extremely strong 26-car grid for this season.
“I’m in the mode to think [about] what is necessary to do to protect WTCR from itself, such as crazy cost inflation and direct manufacturer involvement,” said Ribeiro.
“We have reached a limit, which is good and acceptable, to have a very strong championship with private teams directly supported by manufacturers with professional drivers and technical or financial support, but not run by themselves.
“But we have reached the limit above which we should not go. We have to keep it as it is. If in 2020 we are higher than this then I will be worried.”
Ribeiro explained that he realised very early on in the series last year that measures would need to be implemented to limit teams from becoming too big.
“In May last year, after Hungary, I took [the teams] into a locked room and said ‘either you come up with something by yourself or I will dictate to you with the FIA. We have to work on staff restrictions, and we have to work on testing restrictions. If you don’t, then we need to do it for your own benefit’.
“I know what is going to come, and it will be an amount of testing much higher than we had last winter. I estimate the collective amount of testing is three times the amount of testing compared with last year – it’s a lot.”
Ribeiro’s comments are echoed by the FIA’s Director of Circuit Championships Frédéric Bertrand, who admits that there is also a risk that with the increased exposure an exciting and top-level series brings there is a risk of cost escalation as outfit’s try ever harder to win.
“In general, we see that customer racing is developing really well,” said Bertrand. “Right now, this one is still a laboratory to see how we can manage the development of this cup without getting things crazy.
“This is why we implement so many rules on trying to calm down on the costs and not become so crazy in such a short time.
“The risk is the more the level of awareness increases then the more winning the title will mean something, not only for the drivers but also for the brands.
“When the brands start to see strong additional value then they start to inject money which will start to slowly change the concept to a works team and a manufacturer championship instead of being customer racing.
“We had a discussion with the Team Managers on the measures which will be implemented and you can already see the difference between what we look for, which is sustainable long-term championship development and a low level of cost for a long period, and the teams, which are already looking to take advantage of the regulations for this year because they want to win.”
The WTCR is entering into its second season under an initial two-year agreement with TCR rights owners WSC Ltd. It is understood that discussions are ongoing between Eurosport Events, the FIA and WSC about a continuation of the agreement, with Ribeiro alluding to the situation in the 2020 season, although no further information is available at the time of publication due to ongoing negotiations.