Koei Saga: “It’s difficult not to have reference points”

It is an expected return that will make Toyota next January on the roads and tracks of the World Rally Championship. Dominant in the 90s after the Lancia period, then with the Corolla WRC At the end of this same decade, Toyota hopes to write a new victorious story with the Yaris WRC developed by Tommi Mäkinen's teams. The Vice-President of Gazoo Racing Koei Saga returned to the FIA ​​website on the gestation of this project, and in particular on the fact that the regulations will be modified in 2017.

“This can be an advantage because we are not subject to the influences of the past when it comes to design, but of course it is difficult to have no point of reference. When we talk about rally, we shouldn't just talk about the times, so perhaps it's a failure not to have a car in competition so that we can compare.

However, we are always determined to make the best car, and we are always looking for the best, so perhaps there is no necessary benchmark to have. We have a very good team with a lot of experience, so I do I don't have too many worries. »

Saga believes, on the other hand, that being able to ride unlimitedly as a new manufacturer entering the discipline does not necessarily represent an advantage.

“When you have to develop vehicles, it is always important to make them run, which is an important point, and it is an advantage that we do not have a mileage limit and we understand the car more and more over the course of the journeys. However, our rivals have, on the other hand, a lot of development skills that we do not have and they also have the experience that our team does not have. »

Toyota recently confirmed Finnish Juho Hänninen in the seat of one of the Yaris WRCs, while Esapekka Lappi is tipped to join Gazoo Racing.