The Celica returns to the WRC, the Yaris stays: Toyota explains why two different models will be used in future and who will be driving them
Toyota surprised everyone with an unusual approach when it unveiled its programme for the 2027 World Rally Championship (WRC). The Japanese manufacturer will split its six drivers between two teams, each fielding different cars.
Reigning world champion Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari will drive a GR Celica. This marks the return of the legendary Celica name to the WRC for the first time since the 1990s. Takamoto Katsuta, along with the two former world champions Ott Tänak and Kalle Rovanperä, will compete for the second team in a GR Yaris.
The idea of fielding two teams with different car models came from Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Toyota World Rally Team. Although the GR Celica and GR Yaris look very different, they are powered by virtually the same technology under the bodywork.
Under the bonnet, the Celica and Yaris are identical
“Normally, you work towards this goal with a single model. We, on the other hand, have worked towards the same goal with two models, whilst allowing the two cars to differ externally in order to ultimately achieve the same performance. That naturally makes our own work considerably more difficult,” says Fowler, looking back on the development of the cars. “From the very beginning, one of our objectives was to ensure that both cars had comparable characteristics.”
Toyota sees the concept of two teams and two car models as an opportunity to showcase multiple products, tell new stories and strengthen the bond with fans.
Latvala explains the allocation of drivers across the two teams
“First of all, the new regulations have an interesting aspect: the new cars with a cost cap are cheaper than the previous generation. This cost reduction makes it possible to field more cars on the same budget. We’ve given the budget some thought and have concluded that we can field additional cars because the financial resources are available. The second point was to improve fans’ connection to the drivers, teams and cars,” explains Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala to Autosport.
” “When you think of the Celica and its history in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, the three titles it won in the 1990s and just how legendary this model was, it’s very important to Toyota’s history. I think it’s also a brilliant idea for the fans.”
The decision on which drivers would compete in which team was made without the drivers themselves having a say, explains Latvala.
“In that respect, the decision was quite straightforward. When Ott won his World Championship title, he was driving a Yaris. That’s why he belongs in the Yaris team. Kalle has also won two titles in the Yaris, so he was included in this team too. We wanted to put the new, young generation – Solberg and Pajari – in the new car, the Celica. On top of that, we have Elfyn, the reigning World Champion. That’s how the decision came about,” says the Finn.