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FIA COMPLETES ‘DEAL OF THE CENTURY’ FOR FIA WORLD AND EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS


FIA COMPLETES ‘DEAL OF THE CENTURY’ FOR FIA WORLD AND EUROPEAN RALLY CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations worldwide, has today announced a landmark long-term commercial rights agreement 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 Square Capital.

The biggest deal in the history of these championships, this agreement marks a new chapter for the WRC and ERC. Supporting the FIA’s vision under President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, it will bring significant new investment into the sport, helping to strengthen and grow its world-class motor sport portfolio for years to come.

This deal has been designed for the rallying community and developed to deliver real benefits for fans, competitors, event organisers and the FIA’s Member Clubs. Through this agreement, rallying will become more accessible, more competitive, and more commercially successful. As the sport grows, the FIA will continue to focus on the strong governance and regulations that provide the foundations for rallying’s long-term success.

Alongside the FIA, the new promoter team of French automotive technology and services platform Cosmobilis and private credit investor Park Square Capital share a commitment to growing the sport’s global audience and deepening fan engagement. The FIA will also benefit from significantly increased visibility of its brand across events and broadcasts around the world.

This is a pivotal moment for the WRC, which is preparing for a major regulatory overhaul. Next-generation technical regulations, due to take effect in 2027, have been designed to make the sport safer, more competitive and affordable at the highest level, while the establishment of a new FIA Growth Fund will support projects that drive the success and development of rallying worldwide. Through this fund, growth will be felt across motor sport, from the highest levels of the championships to entry-level grassroots participation.

Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital have outlined ambitious plans to take the WRC and ERC to the next level, putting fans at the heart of the sport and making rallying more exciting, accessible, and engaging. Through stronger storytelling, enhanced distribution, and new multi-platform content, fans will be closer to the action than ever before.

To deliver this vision, the new promoter has built a team of experts, led by newly-appointed CEO Éric Boullier, a highly experienced motor sport executive with a track record at the highest levels of international motor sport.

President of the FIA, H.E. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, said: “This is truly the deal of the century for rallying, and I am proud to announce this transformative step forward, and never before seen levels of investment.

“Not only will it deliver real benefits to fans, competitors and our member clubs worldwide, but this investment signifies confidence in the future of our sport as its global popularity continues to grow.

“The future of our championships is at the heart of every decision we make, and we have ensured that we not only secure the right partner for today, but one who shares our long-term vision. My thanks to FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE and his dedicated team for delivering this, and I am looking forward to working closely with our new promoter.

“Rallying is a huge part of my personal story, it has shaped who I am and how I work, and I am deeply committed to its future. This is an important moment for our sport and as we enter a new era I am proud that we have a new partner in place to help us drive forward the bright future of these championships.”

FIA Deputy President for Sport, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “I have spent my entire professional life in the FIA World Rally Championship, so I know exactly what this sport means to its competitors, its organisers, and above all its fans. In over 40 years in the sport, I have never seen investment on this scale into rallying – this deal really is that significant and I’m full of optimism for what it means for the fans, competitors and organisers.

“From the beginning, our focus has been on finding a partner that not only recognises the WRC’s enormous potential, but understands its character, heritage and the responsibility that comes with shaping its future.

“Cosmobilis and Park Square Capital share that ambition. With a new era approaching through the WRC27 regulations, and with the FIA establishing a groundbreaking growth fund to drive the sport’s development, this is a real opportunity to strengthen the championship, grow its global audience, and deliver the kind of future this sport and its fans deserve.”

Jean-Louis Mosca, Chairman and CEO of Cosmobilis, said: “This acquisition marks a major milestone in Cosmobilis’ transformation. Since our creation, our ambition has been to build a group capable of connecting the entire automotive ecosystem through technology, data, and value-creating platforms. The WRC and the ERC represent a tremendous acceleration of this strategy. We are not merely acquiring the commercial rights to a world championship: we are building an international platform where manufacturers, partners, media, technology, and fans come together. Our goal is clear: to make the WRC the global benchmark for motorsport while creating a driver of sustainable growth for the entire Cosmobilis ecosystem.”

Martino Ghezzi, Partner at Park Square Capital, said: “The WRC and ERC are iconic championships with exceptional heritage and global appeal. We are delighted to provide both capital and strategic support to realise their significant potential and look forward to partnering with Cosmobilis and Éric Boullier on this next chapter. Cosmobilis brings unparalleled expertise and relationships in the automotive sector, while Éric’s extensive experience and deep understanding of global motorsport make him ideally positioned to lead the company through its next phase of growth and development.”

Éric Boullier, CEO of WRC Promoter, said: “I take on this challenge with enthusiasm and determination, but also with humility and a strong sense of responsibility – to make these exceptional championships even more compelling. Alongside the FIA and our partners, we want to make every round a spectacular event, designed to thrill fans around the world. The goal is clear: to establish the WRC and ERC as world-class global brands and a driver of sustainable growth, closely aligned with today’s technological and environmental challenges.”

 

Notes to editors:

This announcement is part of the FIA’s strategic investment in the future of the sport and follows major announcements relating to agreements with the FIA Formula One World Championship and the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. Please see here for more information:

  • Multi-year Concorde Governance Agreement between the FIA, Formula 1 Group and all 11 race teams, announced in December 2025 – information here
  • FIA and Formula E sign landmark extension to power Formula E World Championship for another 10 years, announced in July 2025 – information here

In June 2026, the FIA announced that it had delivered its strongest set of financial results in a decade in 2025, with an operating profit of €6.7m. It also reported an exceptional gain of €20m through the Formula E contract extension.

About the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) is the governing body for world motor sport and the federation for mobility organisations globally. It is a non-profit organisation committed to driving innovation and championing safety, sustainability and equality across motor sport and mobility. 

Founded in 1904, with offices in Paris, London and Geneva, the FIA brings together 246 Member Organisations across five continents, representing millions of road users, motor sport professionals and volunteers. It develops and enforces regulations for motor sport, including six FIA World Championships, to ensure worldwide competitions are safe and fair for all. 

About Cosmobilis

Founded in 2021, Cosmobilis is a leading European automotive Tech & Services company, with bee2link’s proprietary SaaS platform at its core. This platform aggregates and structures audience and customer data across all digital channels, enabling smarter commercial strategies by country, region and manufacturer partner. The group also combines integrated services (financing, insurance, logistics) and go-to-market brands (BYmyCAR, UCAR). Present in more than 30 countries and partnering with over 30 manufacturers, the group brings together 4,700 employees and generates nearly €4 billion in revenue. Its platform is used by 100,000 professionals across 12,000 points of sale.

About Park Square Capital

Park Square Capital is a leading private credit investor, providing senior debt, mid-market direct loans, subordinated debt and structured equity to private equity-backed companies in Europe and the US. The firm has a selective, long-term and flexible investment approach, aimed at delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns across market cycles. Founded in 2004, Park Square Capital has invested more than $35bn and today manages more than $22bn of capital on behalf of its investors.

About the FIA World Rally Championship

The FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) is the ultimate test of driver skill, co-driver precision, and engineering endurance. Since its inception in 1973, WRC has pushed competitors and their cars to the limit across some of the most brutal and unforgiving terrains on the planet.

Spanning 14 rallies across four continents and 15 countries, the championship demands mastery of every surface imaginable – from snow-packed forests in sub-zero temperatures to rock-strewn mountain passes in blistering heat. Drivers and teams must adapt to ever-changing conditions as they battle against the elements and the clock.

The WRC is contested across three main titles: Drivers’ Championship, Co-Drivers’ Championship, and Manufacturers’ Championship – each requiring consistency, speed, and resilience to conquer rallying’s biggest prize.

About the FIA European Rally Championship

The 2026 FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) is the 74th season of Europe’s premier rallying series, featuring a seven-round calendar designed to showcase young talent and experienced campaigners across diverse terrain. The championship, promoted by WRC Promoter, features top-tier Rally2 cars and acts as a key feeder series to the WRC.