FIA increases tire limits for WRC Rally Chile

The FIA has announced a significant rule change for the upcoming WRC Rally Chile to prevent the tire issues experienced during the previous event in Paraguay. Under standard WRC sporting regulations, Rally1 cars are typically limited to 28 tires during gravel rallies. However, the FIA has issued a special dispensation increasing this limit to 36 tires for the competition in Chile.

To avoid the chaos seen in Paraguay, where several top drivers suffered from severe tire peeling, the FIA Road Sport department has authorized a specific procedure. Teams are permitted to deliver up to two tires pre-mounted on rims to crews and receive an equal number of used tires at a designated area on the Arauco transition section. This allows drivers to swap used tires for new ones during the day.

Strict oversight will be in place, with scrutineers monitoring the process and scanning exchanged tires. While team members may deliver the tires, they are strictly prohibited from providing any other assistance, tools, or spare parts to the crews. This decision follows discussions regarding tire durability, including comments from Hankook and calls from drivers like Sebastien Ogier for a wider selection of tire options within the championship.