Ott Tanak, a former World Rally Champion, has officially rejoined Toyota as a test driver. His primary focus will be on the development of the Japanese manufacturer's completely new car, set to debut in the 2027 World Rally Championship season. This move highlights Toyota's proactive approach to the forthcoming technical regulations and their ambition to maintain a competitive edge in the sport. Tanak's return to the WRC scene, albeit in a development capacity, is a significant event, bringing his invaluable experience to the forefront of automotive innovation.
Toyota is currently the only major automotive manufacturer publicly committed to developing a vehicle under the WRC's new technical rules, which will impose a €345,000 cost cap and mandate features such as double wishbone suspension, similar to current Rally2 cars. The ongoing development involves extensive testing across various terrains, with the prototype having already covered over 2,000 kilometers. This rigorous testing, now reinforced by Tanak's participation, aims to fine-tune the car's performance and ensure its readiness for the challenges of the 2027 season, positioning Toyota at the cutting edge of rally technology.
Tanak's Return to WRC Development
Ott Tanak, the esteemed 2019 world champion, has embarked on a new chapter in his illustrious career, transitioning into a pivotal test driver position with Toyota. This significant development, initially brought to light by Dirtfish and subsequently verified by Motorsport.com, sees Tanak actively contributing to the creation of Toyota's all-new vehicle for the 2027 World Rally Championship. His return to the WRC fold follows a period of absence, during which he took a sabbatical from full-time competitive driving after his announcement at Rally Japan last November. This strategic move allows Toyota to leverage Tanak's profound understanding of rally cars and his exceptional driving skills to refine their next-generation contender, ensuring it is meticulously crafted to meet the stringent technical specifications slated for implementation in 2027.
This week marked Tanak's highly anticipated return to the cockpit of a WRC machine, as he took the wheel of Toyota's 2027 prototype. His involvement in the testing program signifies a crucial phase in the car's evolution. Toyota initiated testing for this groundbreaking vehicle last year, accumulating an impressive mileage of over 2,000 kilometers across diverse surfaces including asphalt, snow, and gravel. Prior to Tanak's integration, the testing efforts were primarily led by Juho Hanninen, alongside Toyota's current roster of full-time Rally1 drivers: Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari. Tanak's seasoned expertise is expected to provide fresh perspectives and invaluable insights, further accelerating the development process and solidifying Toyota's position as a trailblazer in rally innovation, as they aim to construct a car that not only adheres to future regulations but also sets new benchmarks for performance and reliability.
Toyota's Vision for the 2027 WRC Car
Toyota stands out as the sole prominent automotive manufacturer actively engaged in developing a new vehicle that fully complies with the upcoming technical regulations for the World Rally Championship, slated for introduction in 2027. These regulations impose a strict cost cap of €345,000 per car and stipulate that the vehicles will be largely based on the architecture of current Rally2 cars. Key technical mandates include a double wishbone suspension configuration, along with braking and steering systems derived from existing Rally2 specifications. This forward-thinking approach by Toyota underscores their commitment to the future of WRC, positioning them as pioneers in adapting to and shaping the sport's evolving technological landscape. Their dedication ensures that they will be at the forefront when these new rules take effect.
Visual documentation, including images and videos of the car undergoing testing, has circulated across various social media platforms in recent months, sparking considerable interest and speculation. The prototype exhibits a dramatically different design compared to Toyota's current GR Yaris Rally1, leading to widespread conjecture regarding the specific model that Toyota intends to campaign in the 2027 season. Despite the public curiosity, the team has maintained a discreet stance on the car's definitive identity. Kevin Struyf, Toyota's head of engineering, has consistently referred to the vehicle as merely a 'prototype,' emphasizing that it is an evolving 'mule car.' He highlighted that the 2027 regulations offer unprecedented freedom in body design, leaving the manufacturer's final choice open. Struyf confirmed that development of the mule car, as observed in Portugal, will continue throughout April, with another chassis soon entering production to facilitate further testing of what will be closer to the final model. He also acknowledged the initial ambiguity of some technical elements from the FIA, which necessitated an iterative development process, culminating in a car that aims to surpass the performance of the current Rally2 benchmark.
