WRC teams Hyundai and M-Sport Ford have not yet finalized their crews for next season. As we reported earlier on Sunday, unexpected names have been linked to Rally1 cars in rumors.
The same applies to the WRC2 class, where drivers may be shuffled for next year. Belgian journalist Olivier de Wilde of La Derniere Heure is certain that Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet will be seen behind the wheel of Toyota’s new GR Yaris Rally2 car for the 2024 season.
Loubet has spent the last two seasons driving the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 car in the WRC’s top class. The concluded season was extremely difficult for Loubet, who had to watch the season-ending Rally Japan from the sidelines.
According to the Belgian journalist, a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 car has been secured for Loubet for use in the WRC2 class. The rally car is managed by the Luxembourg-based Burton Racing team.
De Wilde has also linked Sami Pajari to the wheel of Toyota’s new machine. According to information, Pajari will compete the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo in Toyota’s Rally2 car, serviced by the Finnish team Printsport.
RallyJournal.com has also heard rumors that Printsport will maintain Toyota’s new competitors next year. Logistically, at least, the decision would make sense, as the Printsport workshop is only 25 kilometers away from Toyota’s WRC team headquarters, located in Jyväskylä Finland.
Pajari has previously been linked to Toyota’s new car in rumors. About a month ago, Pajari maintained a discreet line when asked about his plans for next season.
“There’s nothing certain in any direction. Still need to have discussions,” Pajari spun to RallyJournal.com.
“But I’m quite confident that I will be driving in the WRC next season.”
The rumors do not end here. According to the Belgian, Toksport team would have lost Skoda’s support. Toksport has been driving Skoda’s Rally2 cars in the WRC since Skoda ceased its own factory team. Now, Skoda might be bringing back an official factory team at the start of the 2024 season. Official confirmation for these matters is reportedly expected in the coming weeks.
