Are the first effects of the elimination of the hybrid already being felt? In any case, there will be between 2 and 1 more Toyota Yaris Rally1 than this year on certain rounds. After suffering throughout the 2024 season against Hyundai, the team based in Jÿska in Finland has chosen to change the way it operates. Next year, Sébastien Ogier should be the only driver to benefit from a partial program. Kalle Rovanperä who will return after a year of all kinds of frolics, Elfyn Evans faithful to the post for the 6the year and Katamoto Katsuta will be aligned with the 14 events on the calendar.
« I am very excited to compete in the full season again next yearrejoiced Rovanperä. This year was quite different for me, I drove several cars and won a few rallies at the same time. It was a great year, but it also gave me a lot of motivation to come back for the full season and fight with Jonne for the Drivers and Co-Drivers titles and do our best with the team to win the championship. Builders. »
Pajari full-time at Toyota in 2025!
With speculation already swirling as to whether this will be Kalle’s final season in the WRC, the only real ‘surprise’ in Toyota’s line-up is the appearance of Sami Pajari. The recent WRC2 world champion will have a complete program just like his new teammates. By intensifying the training of the 22-year-old blond, Toyota is already preparing for the aftermath of Evans, Ogier and why not Rovanperä.
« This is a dream come true for me and I am truly grateful to Toyota Gazoo Racing and the team for giving me this opportunitycommented Pajari who should soon announce his (or his new) new co-pilot. There are also many important people who helped me and made this dream come true. It’s been an incredible year for us in WRC2 and our first events with Rally1. Although we have reached the place we aimed for (4e Editor’s note), I also know that this is where the work begins to aim for good results in the future. »
Kankkunen new deputy director of TGR
The other important change announced by the TGR is the appointment of Juha Kankkunen as deputy director. The four-time world champion will take the place of Jari-Matti Latvala when he is absent from the WRC. “It is a great pleasure for me to take on this role within the teamexplained “KKK”. During my career I drove for different teams, but I spent nine years in total at Toyota: they were the first manufacturer that gave me the opportunity to participate in the WRC and I think that is probably the best team in the world. I am very happy to work more closely with them and help them in whatever way I can. »
Toyota being the first team to reveal its game for 2025, it will be interesting to see how Hyundai responds. Cyril Abiteboul has often spoken of a 4e car. Will it finally come to fruition in 2025?
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