Toyota should continue with the current Yaris in 2021

Before motorsport was put on hold in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, the Toyota Gazoo Racing had revealed images of a development car based on the new GR Yaris, potentially usable in WRC from 2021 for a single season before the change in technical regulations and the arrival of hybridization.

A basis which could also have been used for the development of the future Japanese WRC in 2022, but this solution should ultimately not be retained.

Tommi Mäkinen's structure will in fact extend the development of the current Yaris WRC, launched in 2017, to compete in 2021. « Our plan is to continuously improve the current Yaris and run with it in 2021, specifies the stable.

Before the pandemic, we collected important information from our tests with the GR Yaris and the WRC version. »

A change of direction that is understandable from a financial point of view in the face of current difficulties and which will allow Toyota to maintain a base which has notably enabled Ott Tänak to take the crown in 2019.

However, it remains to be seen who will drive the car in 2021, since the future of Sébastien Ogier still remains uncertain, even if the Frenchman had not hidden the possibility to extend his adventure with Toyota for another year.

The brand has also resumed testing in Finland on gravel, to prepare for the end of the season where several European rounds could appear on the calendar to replace the events canceled in recent weeks.

Finally we are able to resume testing and hit the gravel roads of Finland today with the #YarisWRC!#Toyota #ToyotaGAZOORacing #WRC pic.twitter.com/biIMz7OVXc

- Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) June 15, 2020