The four-time world champion has served as Toyota’s official ambassador in recent years, but starting next season, the Finnish rally legend will take on more responsibilities beyond his role as the brand’s public face.
Kankkunen will begin as Toyota’s duputy team principal. With Toyota’s team principal Jari-Matti Latvala competing in the FIA Historic European Rally Championship next year, he will be unable to oversee the WRC team at every event.
Kankkunen will take the reins in rallies where Latvala is unavailable, with his first assignment as team principal set for the Safari Rally Kenya in late March.
Kankkunen is already a familiar figure to Toyota’s WRC drivers. Eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier sees Kankkunen’s new role as a positive development.
“Juha is a legend in our sport, and I think it cannot be bad to have his experience in the team,” Ogier told RallyJournal.com.
“So, let’s see what Juha can bring. I know him as a person and as a rally driver, obviously, but it’s too early to say what else he can bring to the team. Still, we are happy to welcome him, even though he has already been part of the Toyota family for many years,” the French star added.
Toyota has so far maintained a straightforward strategy among its drivers, with little use of team orders in recent years. Ogier doesn’t believe Kankkunen’s arrival will lead to significant changes in how the team operates.
“I think it won’t change much for us in the daily business, but it’s nice to have Juha with us,” Ogier said.
