2024 TCR World Tour set for FIA status, one European round and delayed hybrids

The 2024 TCR World Tour is likely to get FIA status in 2024, a further globalised calendar with just one round in Europe and a delayed hybrid introduction.

“You will see it is a very ambitious calendar. We believe that there will be big interest also from the local drivers,” said Marcello Lotti, WSC president, to nine.com.au.

Lotti confirmed to nine.com.au that the 2024 calendar will feature just one race in Europe, rumoured to be held in Italy.

While the two Australian rounds at Sydney Motorsport Park and Bathurst in November are the so far only officially confirmed 2024 rounds, the remaining rounds are reported to be planned for Morocco, North and South America, China and Macau.

Hybrids were originally planned for introduction this year, but the WSC organisation announced in December last year that it would be moved to 2024.

Now Lotti hints that it could be 2025 instead.

“With the TCR World Tour, we go in different championships. We cannot run with one one time without hybrid and the other with it,” said Lotti.

“It’s better to have – at least from all the selected events – the same technical regulation in full aspect, also hybrid. And this was our idea at the beginning of last year was – OK, we postponed 2024.

“I want to be 100 percent frank with you, we don’t know. I personally don’t know if we can introduce (hybrid) from 2024 immediately because at the moment, we’re trying to sign three-year agreement with each event promoter. After that, we know that we have a calendar that becomes stable. So when we have this, probably it is time to start with hybrids.”

What is likely for 2024 is FIA championship status, with Lotti confirming discussions are underway but that delayed hybrids could have an impact.

“We are discussing with the FIA for the next season to see if we can find an agreement between WSC and FIA to be an FIA TCR World Tour title,” Lotti explained.

“The FIA, clearly their target is also to go more environmental. Hybrid is a good argument for them. Also they want clearly to use this hybrid kit as soon as possible.

“Like I told you with this new calendar for me also, it is a risk to start 2024. It’s something that frankly speaking, we have several meetings in the first week of December including FIA. If everything goes in the right direction and probably at that time, we take a decision.”

Lotti also hinted on that new manufacturers could be on the TCR World Tour grid next year.

“At the moment, we believe that we can increase the field with two more brands internationally,” said Lotti.

Cupra recently confirmed the updated Leon VZ TCR for 2024 and Toyota Argentina has been rumoured to be eying the TCR World Tour.