The manufacturer revealed its driver line-up for the 2026 campaign, with the main question being who would replace Kalle Rovanperä. The Finn confirmed in October that he will step away from the WRC and move to Japan’s Super Formula series for next year.
Toyota has now confirmed that it has signed young Oliver Solberg to the team. The 24-year-old made a stunning debut in Toyota’s Rally1 car at Rally Estonia earlier this year, making full use of his opportunity to take his first career victory in the top class. He also secured the WRC2 title this season driving Toyota’s Rally2 machine.
Solberg has competed in WRC2 for the past three seasons. Before that, he drove for Hyundai’s WRC team, but was released at the end of the 2022 season.
Otherwise, Toyota’s driver line-up remains unchanged. Elfyn Evans, Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari will continue as the team’s full-time drivers, contesting all rounds of the 2026 championship.
Sébastien Ogier will once again take on a part-time programme, with the French star set to enter selected WRC rounds next season. Ogier has been an invaluable asset to Toyota in recent years, even though he has missed several events.
Ogier, who celebrated victory at Rally Japan on Sunday, is still in contention for this year’s world title despite skipping three rounds. He sits just three points behind championship leader Elfyn Evans ahead of the final event in Saudi Arabia.
Check the full World Rally Championship standings here!
Toyota also confirmed that Jari-Matti Latvala will continue as the team principal, with Juha Kankkunen remaining in the deputy role as this year.
Kankkunen has stepped in as team boss whenever Latvala has been absent due to his own driving commitments. Latvala competed this season in the FIA European Historic Rally Championship, which he won last weekend. His plan is to continue driving his Celica in historic rallies next year as well.
Earlier, Toyota had also been linked with Ott Tänak, but the Estonian driver announced on Sunday that he will take at least a break from the World Rally Championship.
Lue myös: Ott Tänak chatted casually – then dropped a bombshell
