[Auto] WRC 2021: Toyota confirms its lineup for next season

[FNX Magokiler]

Former driver Jari-Mati Latvala will succeed Tommi Mäkinen as Director of Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.

A few weeks away from winning the World Rally Championship drivers' championship, Toyota has confirmed its driver line-up for the 2021 season, highlighting the renewal of the current champion Sébastien Ogier's contract.

Joining Ogier will be Elfyn Evans, the 2020 runner-up, and Kalle Rovanperä, who in his first year in the WRC finished fifth in the standings, with six races in the top five.

For his part, Jari-Matti Latvala returns to Toyota, but as Director of the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (WRT), as Tommi Mäkinen will take over as Toyota's motorsport advisor from January 2021.

Latvala was selected by Akio Toyoda, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), to bring the driver's perspective to a management team that also includes Yuichiro Haruna as Project Director and Kaj Lindström as Sporting Director, in addition to Tom Fowler in the position of Technical Director.

 

 

Latvala, a winner of 18 WRC races, has been part of Toyota's World Rally Championship history since his return in 2017. He was instrumental in the development of the Toyota Yaris WRC, taking it to its first podium debut at the Monte Carlo Rally.

He also achieved the new Toyota team's first victory at the next round, Rally Sweden. His victory at Rally Australia in late 2018 helped secure the constructors' championship for Toyota a couple of seasons ago.

As well as being one of the most po[CENSORED]r drivers in the WRC, Latvala is known for his enthusiasm for the sport, and even maintains and competes in classic rallies with Toyota. During 2020 he was an ambassador for Toyota Gazoo Racing around the world, something he will continue to do in his new role as director.

Thus, the two main WRC teams already have their drivers confirmed: Ogier, Evans and Rovanpera by Toyota, Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuveille as starters at Hyundai, leaving the third car in the hands of Dani Sordo and Craig Breen, who will take it. they will take turns between races. Confirmation from Ford M-Sport is missing.