sourceURL:abZirkus has left, but has long since returned to Toyota – The Estonian has already tested the 2027 prototype twice – Ogier believes: The hunger is back
Ott Tänak may have retired from the World Rally Championship at the end of the 2025 season, but he has remained loyal to the sport. Toyota has secured his services. In 2019, the Estonian won the world championship with the Japanese brand.
Tänak takes on the role of a test driver and also serves as an advisor to drivers like Takamoto Katsuta. This was a key factor in the Japanese driver’s success at the start of the 2026 WRC season.
Meanwhile, Tänak himself continues to push the limits. He has already tested the Toyota prototype twice for the new regulations set to take effect in 2027. He drove the car on both asphalt and gravel, most recently in Spain.
His return to Toyota has sparked much speculation that he could return to competition next year, provided a seat on the team becomes available.
At 42, Sébastien Ogier is not only currently the oldest Toyota driver, but he also no longer competes in every rally of the season. The nine-time world champion has not yet tested the new prototype for 2027 either.
“Of course, we’ve known about it for a while [that Tänak is testing the car], but I think,” says Ogier, “Ott still has a bit of hunger and certainly the desire to drive a little more. He’ll be able to tell you better than I can.”
“I think, as we already said at the end of last year, he obviously wasn’t happy where he was. Sometimes a break can help. Now he’s starting to test our car.”
“I’m sure it’s fun again after months without driving. Ott’s feedback is always interesting; I’m convinced of that,” says Ogier. “At the same time, I haven’t tested this car yet.”
“I’m also not sure if that will happen soon. Since we have a full calendar, it might be for the best for the team’s current drivers. Because if there’s no one to take on this task, the calendar would become very intense.”
Ogier’s WRC future beyond the current season remains unclear. The Frenchman recently celebrated his first victory of the season in the Canary Islands.
