The FIA has been making extensive changes to the Stock category for 2026 with the hope of reducing costs and encouraging manufacturer participation. Another tweak came on Wednesday when the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved a limit on how many certain spare parts a team can use in a race. If the cap is exceeded, time penalties will be handed out.

This rule impacts five components: the turbo, gearbox, transfer case, and the front and rear differentials.

Each team is allowed one spare of each, while a second is permitted at marathon rally raids like the Dakar Rally. These parts, as well as the engine block, must be marked or lead-sealed at pre-race scrutineering.

Needing more replacements than the two at Dakar or one at the other four W2RC rounds will lead to the following penalties:

Part	First Replacement Over Limit	Second and More
Set of equipped turbos	2 hours	5 hours
Gearbox	1 hour	3 hours
Transfer case	1 hour	3 hours
Front differential	30 minutes	2 hours
Rear differential	30 minutes	2 hours

The oil seals, bearings, and differential lock actuator can be freely swapped out without penalty. Teams can also reset the differential preload.

“The new measure supports cost control and aligns the category with its customer-racing purpose,” explained the FIA.

Featured image credit: Florent Gooden / DPPI / ASO