Toyota has confirmed an impressive lineup for its participation in the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2027, with the addition of Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak. Both drivers will join a strong team of six vehicles that will include two setups competing with the new GR Celica and GR Yaris models, developed under the new technical regulations.
Rovanperä, world champion in 2022 and 2023, and Tänak, who won the championship in 2019, will return to competition after a season away. The news is a great incentive for rally fans, as both drivers bring a wealth of experience and talent to Toyota’s project.
The current champion, Elfyn Evans, will also compete under the Toyota Racing logo, alongside his rivals from last season, Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari, who finished in second and third place, respectively, in last year’s championship. All three drivers will drive the GR Celica model.
Evans has expressed his satisfaction at facing his eighth season with Toyota, highlighting his mindset to improve and achieve higher goals. The new vehicles will present a significant challenge and a change from what they have used so far.
In the case of Tänak, after his previous experience with Toyota and working as a test driver for the new vehicle, he is eager to return to competition. Meanwhile, Rovanperä, who took a break to explore a career in single-seaters, has excitedly expressed his return to the rally world after overcoming health issues.
The GR Yaris drivers will be Tänak and Takamoto Katsuta, while Rovanperä will contest a partial campaign. This strategy could allow for the entry of other drivers, including the nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, who has hinted that he may participate in some rallies next season.
The team presentation took place at Toyota’s headquarters in Jyvaskyla, Finland, coinciding with the opening of a new technical center in the area. With the homologation process expected to be completed before the end of the year, more details about the vehicles and their liveries are expected before the start of the 2027 season.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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