Toyota explains call to run Celica and Yaris models in WRC 2027

Toyota has revealed its strategy for the 2027 World Rally Championship, which involves running two different Rally1 models, the GR Celica and GR Yaris, while splitting its six driver lineup into two separate teams. The decision to homologate both body shapes, both built to comply with the new technical regulations, originated from Toyota's World Rally Team chairman Akio Toyoda.

The GR Celica will be driven by Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, and Sami Pajari under the Toyota Racing banner, while the GR Yaris will be piloted by Takamoto Katsura, Ott Tanak, and Kalle Rovanpera, with the latter participating in a partial campaign.

Toyota sees this two team, two car concept as a means to promote multiple products, create compelling stories, and enhance fan engagement. Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala explained that the new regulation's cost-capped cars are less expensive than the previous generation, allowing Toyota to run more cars with the same budget. He also highlighted the importance of the Celica in Toyota's history, considering its iconic status from the seventies, eighties, and nineties.

Latvala stated that the decision to split the teams was made without input from the respective crews, as it was straightforward given the historical backgrounds of the drivers.