FIA to restrict WRC drivers in 2017

Drivers wishing to participate in the World Rally Championship from next year will be closely checked by the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

The increased power of new WRC cars has led to concerns from certain quarters within the sport that some drivers are not sufficiently equipped to control them.

A superlicence system - similar to that used in Formula One - had been suggested as one possible solution, but the FIA has ruled out that notion.

"What about guys like Bryan Bouffier?" FIA rally director Jarmo Mahonen told Autosport.

"These guys do one or two rallies per year. [Robert] Kubica is another one.

"We don't want to have a rule where we are always having to bring a waiver, so I would rather not go with the superlicence.

"We have to control these cars, but I would rather do it a softer way than the superlicence.

"Those cars will only be used by drivers entered by a manufacturer and approved by us. This gives us control.

"Do we want the so-called gentleman drivers coming with these cars? No, we don't.

"And nor do we want the 18-year-old drivers coming and doing their first world championship round in one of these either."