FIA COMPLETES ‘DEAL OF THE CENTURY’ FOR FIA WORLD AND EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Fédération Internationale de l’Car (FIA), the worldwide governing physique for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has right this moment introduced a landmark long-term industrial rights settlement for the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) and FIA European Rally Championship (ERC). It follows the acquisition of WRC Promoter GmbH by Cosmobilis and Park Sq. Capital.
The most important deal within the historical past of those championships, this settlement marks a brand new chapter for the WRC and ERC. Supporting the FIA’s imaginative and prescient beneath President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, it should convey vital new funding into the game, serving to to strengthen and develop its world-class motor sport portfolio for years to come back.
This deal has been designed for the rallying neighborhood and developed to ship actual advantages for followers, rivals, occasion organisers and the FIA’s Member Golf equipment. Via this settlement, rallying will turn into extra accessible, extra aggressive, and extra commercially profitable. As the game grows, the FIA will proceed to deal with the robust governance and rules that present the foundations for rallying’s long-term success.
Alongside the FIA, the brand new promoter workforce of French automotive know-how and companies platform Cosmobilis and personal credit score investor Park Sq. Capital share a dedication to rising the game’s international viewers and deepening fan engagement. The FIA will even profit from considerably elevated visibility of the its model throughout occasions and broadcasts all over the world.
It is a pivotal second for the WRC, which is getting ready for a significant regulatory overhaul. Subsequent-generation technical rules, as a consequence of take impact in 2027, have been designed to make the game safer, extra aggressive and inexpensive on the highest degree, whereas the institution of a brand new FIA Progress Fund will help initiatives that drive the success and improvement of rallying worldwide. Via this fund, development shall be felt throughout motor sport, from the best ranges of the championships to entry-level grassroots participation.
Cosmobilis and Park Sq. Capital have outlined formidable plans to take the WRC and ERC to the following degree, placing followers on the coronary heart of the game and making rallying extra thrilling, accessible, and fascinating. Via stronger storytelling, enhanced distribution, and new multi-platform content material, followers shall be nearer to the motion than ever earlier than.
To ship this imaginative and prescient, the brand new promoter has constructed a workforce of specialists, led by newly-appointed CEO Éric Boullier, a extremely skilled motor sport government with a monitor report on the highest ranges of worldwide motor sport.
President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, stated: “That is really the deal of the century for rallying, and I’m proud to announce this transformative step ahead, and by no means earlier than seen ranges of funding.
“Not solely will it ship actual advantages to followers, rivals and our member golf equipment worldwide, however this funding signifies confidence in the way forward for our sport as its international recognition continues to develop.
“The way forward for our championships is on the coronary heart of each choice we make, and now we have ensured that we not solely safe the proper accomplice for right this moment, however one who shares our long-term imaginative and prescient. My because of FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE and his devoted workforce for delivering this, and I’m wanting ahead to working intently with our new promoter.
“Rallying is a big a part of my private story, it has formed who I’m and the way I work, and I’m deeply dedicated to its future. This is a crucial second for our sport and as we enter a brand new period I’m proud that now we have a brand new accomplice in place to assist us drive ahead the intense future of those championships.”
FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE, stated: “I’ve spent my total skilled life within the FIA World Rally Championship, so I do know precisely what this sport means to its rivals, its organisers, and above all its followers. In over 40 years within the sport, I’ve by no means seen funding on this scale into rallying – this deal actually is that vital and I’m stuffed with optimism for what it means for the followers, rivals and organisers.
“From the start, our focus has been on discovering a accomplice that not solely recognises the WRC’s monumental potential, however understands its character, heritage and the duty that comes with shaping its future.
“Cosmobilis and Park Sq. Capital share that ambition. With a brand new period approaching via the WRC27 rules, and with the FIA establishing a groundbreaking development fund to drive the game’s improvement, it is a actual alternative to strengthen the championship, develop its international viewers, and ship the type of future this sport and its followers deserve.”
Jean-Louis Mosca, Chairman and CEO of Cosmobilis, stated: “This acquisition marks a significant milestone in Cosmobilis’ transformation. Since our creation, our ambition has been to construct a bunch able to connecting your entire automotive ecosystem via know-how, knowledge, and value-creating platforms. The WRC and the ERC symbolize an incredible acceleration of this technique. We’re not merely buying the industrial rights to a world championship: we’re constructing a world platform the place producers, companions, media, know-how, and followers come collectively. Our purpose is evident: to make the WRC the worldwide benchmark for motorsport whereas making a driver of sustainable development for your entire Cosmobilis ecosystem.”
Martino Ghezzi, Associate at Park Sq. Capital, stated: “The WRC and ERC are iconic championships with distinctive heritage and international attraction. We’re delighted to offer each capital and strategic help to grasp their vital potential and sit up for partnering with Cosmobilis and Éric Boullier on this subsequent chapter. Cosmobilis brings unparalleled experience and relationships within the automotive sector, whereas Éric’s in depth expertise and deep understanding of world motorsport make him ideally positioned to steer the corporate via its subsequent part of development and improvement.”
Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter, stated: “I tackle this problem with enthusiasm and willpower, but additionally with humility and a robust sense of duty – to make these distinctive championships much more compelling. Alongside the FIA and our companions, we need to make each spherical a spectacular occasion, designed to thrill followers all over the world. The purpose is evident: to ascertain the WRC and ERC as world-class international manufacturers and a driver of sustainable development, intently aligned with right this moment’s technological and environmental challenges.”
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Notes to editors:
This announcement is a part of the FIA’s strategic funding in the way forward for the game and follows main bulletins referring to agreements with the FIA Formulation One World Championship and the ABB FIA Formulation E World Championship. Please see right here for extra info:
- Multi-year Concorde Governance Settlement between the FIA, Formulation 1 Group and all 11 race groups, introduced in December 2025 – information here
- FIA and Formulation E signal landmark extension to energy Formulation E World Championship for an additional 10 years, introduced in July 2025 – information here
In June 2026, the FIA announced that it had delivered its strongest set of economic ends in a decade in 2025, with an working revenue of €6.7m. It additionally reported an distinctive acquire of €20m via the Formulation E contract extension.
Concerning the Fédération Internationale de l’Car (FIA)
The Fédération Internationale de l’Car (FIA) is the governing physique for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It’s a non-profit organisation dedicated to driving innovation and championing security, sustainability and equality throughout motor sport and mobility.
Based in 1904, with places of work in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings collectively 246 Member Organisations throughout 5 continents, representing thousands and thousands of street customers, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces rules for motor sport, together with six FIA World Championships, to make sure worldwide competitions are secure and honest for all.
About Cosmobilis
Based in 2021, Cosmobilis is a number one European automotive Tech & Companies firm, with bee2link’s proprietary SaaS platform at its core. This platform aggregates and constructions viewers and buyer knowledge throughout all digital channels, enabling smarter industrial methods by nation, area and producer accomplice. The group additionally combines built-in companies (financing, insurance coverage, logistics) and go-to-market manufacturers (BYmyCAR, UCAR). Current in additional than 30 nations and partnering with over 30 producers, the group brings collectively 4,700 staff and generates practically €4 billion in income. Its platform is utilized by 100,000 professionals throughout 12,000 factors of sale.
About Park Sq. Capital
Park Sq. Capital is a number one non-public credit score investor, offering senior debt, mid-market direct loans, subordinated debt and structured fairness to personal equity-backed firms in Europe and the US. The agency has a selective, long-term and versatile funding method, geared toward delivering enticing risk-adjusted returns throughout market cycles. Based in 2004, Park Sq. Capital has invested greater than $35bn and right this moment manages greater than $22bn of capital on behalf of its traders.
Concerning the FIA World Rally Championship
The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is the final word take a look at of driver ability, co-driver precision, and engineering endurance. Since its inception in 1973, WRC has pushed rivals and their vehicles to the restrict throughout a few of the most brutal and unforgiving terrains on the planet.
Spanning 14 rallies throughout 4 continents and 15 nations, the championship calls for mastery of each floor conceivable – from snow-packed forests in sub-zero temperatures to rock-strewn mountain passes in blistering warmth. Drivers and groups should adapt to ever-changing situations as they battle in opposition to the weather and the clock.
The WRC is contested throughout three predominant titles: Drivers’ Championship, Co-Drivers’ Championship, and Producers’ Championship – every requiring consistency, pace, and resilience to beat rallying’s greatest prize.
Concerning the FIA European Rally Championship
The 2026 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) is the 74th season of Europe’s premier rallying sequence, that includes a seven-round calendar designed to showcase younger expertise and skilled campaigners throughout various terrain. The championship, promoted by WRC Promoter, options top-tier Rally2 vehicles and acts as a key feeder sequence to the WRC.
