Toyota announced on Monday morning, Central European time, that Kankkunen will take on the role of deputy team principal. Speculation about Kankkunen’s future involvement had already surfaced earlier this year.
Kankkunen will act as Toyota’s team principal in rallies where the current team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala, is unable to fulfil his duties.
Latvala will continue as Toyota’s main team principal but, as previously reported, he will be competing in the historic rally European Championship next season, meaning he won’t be available for every event.
Kankkunen is a four-time World Rally Champion, having claimed his last title in 1993 driving for Toyota. He has been involved with Toyota’s rally team in various capacities over the years, including serving as a brand ambassador.
“It is a great pleasure for me to take on this role with the team,” Kankkunen stated in Toyota’s press release.
“During my career I drove with many different teams but I had nine years in total with Toyota: it was the first manufacturer to give me an opportunity in the WRC, and I believe it is probably the best team in the world. There are very good people and the cooperation has always been excellent between Europe and Japan,” Kankkunen praised.
“his team spirit and teamwork is very important and everybody is pushing together. I have a good relationship with Akio Toyoda (Chairman of Toyota), having been driving together with him in demonstration events in the last few years, and also with Jari-Matti, who is a great person and very easy to talk with. I’m really happy to work more closely with them and to help the team where I can,” he added.
Toyota also announced its driver line-up for the upcoming season on Monday. Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, Sami Pajari, and Takamoto Katsuta will compete as full-time drivers, while Sebastien Ogier will continue as a part-time driver.
