From four to five Toyotas in Rally1 in 2025, with the return of Rovanperä full-time and promotions

Are these already the first effects of the elimination of hybrids being felt? In any case, there will be between 2 and 1 Toyota Yaris Rally1 more than this year on some rounds. After suffering throughout the 2024 season against Hyundai, the team based in Jÿska, Finland, has decided 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 6^e year and Katamoto Katsuta will be aligned with the 14 appointments of the calendar.

« I am very excited to be competing in the full season again next year., Rovanperä rejoiced. This year has been quite different for me, I have driven several cars and won a few rallies at the same time. It has been a great year, but it has also given me a lot of motivation to come back for the full season and fight with Jonne for the Drivers and Co-Drivers titles and to do our best with the team to win the Constructors' championship. »

Pajari full-time at Toyota in 2025!

While speculations are already circulating as to whether this will be Kalle's final season in WRC, the only real "surprise" in Toyota's line-up is the appearance of Sami Pajari. The recent WRC2 world champion will have a full programme just like his new team-mates. By stepping up the training of the 22-year-old blond, Toyota is already preparing for the post-Evans, Ogier and why not Rovanperä.

We're excited to welcome @samipajari to our Rally1 line-up full-time for 2025 🤝🙌#ToyotaGAZOORacing #GRYaris #WRC pic.twitter.com/PW5ErRJbyC

- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) November 25, 2024

« This is a dream come true for me and I am truly grateful to Toyota Gazoo Racing and the team for giving me this opportunity., commented 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 has been an incredible year for us in WRC2 and in our first events with Rally1. Although we have achieved the position we were aiming for (4^e 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 major change announced by TGR is the appointment of Juha Kankkunen as deputy team principal. The four-time world champion will take Jari-Matti Latvala's place when the latter is absent from the WRC.  “It is a great pleasure for me to take on this role within the team, explained “KKK.” During my career I have driven for different teams, but I spent nine years in total at Toyota: they were the first manufacturer that gave me the opportunity to compete in the WRC and I think they are 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. »

With Toyota being the first team to reveal its game for 2025, it will be interesting to see how Hyundai responds. Cyril Abiteboul often spoke of a 4^e car. Will it finally come to fruition in 2025?

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