There are still a few question marks surrounding Toyota’s driver lineup for next year. Kalle Rovanperä is expected to return as a full-time driver after this season, and Elfyn Evans is also anticipated to continue with the team.
Meanwhile, Sebastien Ogier has indicated that he’s open to continuing as a part-time driver. The team also includes Japanese driver Takamoto Katsuta, as well as rising star Sami Pajari, who has made significant strides this season and is knocking on the door of the WRC team.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala previously mentioned that the team is likely to make changes to how it deploys its drivers next year.
“We also have to consider for next year that if we want to fight for championships, we need to have three drivers doing a full season. Then we can have a fourth driver, who can rotate and do a half-season. But we need three full-season drivers,” Latvala emphasised to RallyJournal.com.
Read more: Jari-Matti Latvala reveals more about Toyota’s big decision
Reportedly, Toyota is considering an even bolder move. According to Dirtfish, Toyota might run as many as five GR Yaris Rally1 cars in next year’s WRC events. However, only three crews can score points for the manufacturers’ championship in any given rally.
“Everything is being considered now. Of course, Toyota has the potential to run five cars, but maybe it’s better to have one – or two – of those run by a satellite (team) at the side of the main Toyota service area,” a source close to the team told Dirtfish.
“We shouldn’t forget, there’s still the Rally2 car to be considered. Would Toyota ask ‘Taka’ to step back to WRC2? Hard to imagine that happening, but I’m sure if there are complicated logistics with Rally1 cars, it’s better to have Sami in a Rally2 and taking experience than sitting at home and not driving.”
According to the source, the team may still gather data from the upcoming rallies before making any final decisions.
Last week, Toyota announced that Katsuta, who has been struggling in recent rallies, will sit out the Chile WRC round to “reset his situation.” Pajari, meanwhile, was selected to replace Katsuta in the Chile gravel rally.
Running a satellite team alongside the factory team is not new for Toyota. For several years, Katsuta competed alongside Toyota’s WRC team, with his own service tent positioned next to Toyota’s official factory team area.
