WRC Promoter Changes Hands in Cosmobilis Deal

The World Rally Championship (WRC) and European Rally Championship (ERC) are moving into a new commercial era after WRC Promoter GmbH was acquired by Cosmobilis, a French automotive company, together with private credit investor Park Square Capital.

Officials described the arrangement as a long-term agreement reported to run for 25 years, a duration that signals a major reset in how the series is governed and monetised. The FIA called it the “biggest deal in history” for rallying and said it expects fresh investment aimed at strengthening and expanding the sport.

New owners install leadership ahead of key decisions

Former Formula 1 team principal Eric Boullier has been appointed as the new CEO of WRC Promoter. The leadership change comes as the championship approaches technical regulation overhauls scheduled for 2027, a period that typically requires clarity on long-range commercial and sporting priorities.

Officials said the transaction is expected to unlock substantial capital investment and to stabilise the championship’s commercial trajectory. The shift also places a new commercial rights holder in position as the WRC works through decisions that shape how teams, events, and partners plan multiple seasons ahead.

Paraguay event set to frame the new strategy

The new management is expected to present its strategic vision during the upcoming event in Paraguay. Stakeholders are looking to that event for detail on how the series intends to improve market reach and sharpen operational direction, two areas that have been cited as persistent concerns.

Organisers and competitors often rely on predictable messaging, clear activation plans, and coordinated scheduling to build audiences over time. Within that context, the Paraguay event is positioned as the first major opportunity for the new ownership group to set priorities and establish how it will work with teams and other participants.

Competitors call for stronger promotion and closer alignment

Competitors have indicated they want more effective promotional strategies and tighter collaboration between management and participants. Their comments reflect an expectation that the commercial rights holder will play a more active role in building visibility and supporting the broader ecosystem around events.

With the new rights holder now in place, officials expect progress on finalising the 2027 calendar and sporting regulations. Those decisions matter because they influence the long-term structure of the championship, including event planning and the overall sporting framework.

While the FIA and the new owners have emphasised investment and growth, specific operational details have not yet been laid out in the announcements cited. Further direction is expected to emerge around the Paraguay event as the championship transitions to its new commercial governance model.