TOYOTA APPOINT LATVALA AS WRC TEAM PRINCIPAL

Toyota appoint Jari-Matti Latvala as WRC Team Principal – Image: LAT

Toyota has announced that Jari-Matti Latvala will succeed Tommi Mäkinen as Team Principal of the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team in 2021.

By RHYS VANDERSYDE

The Japanese manufacturer will sport an unchanged driver line-up next season with seven-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier returning alongside Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera.

At the top level, however, Latvala’s appointment as Team Principal is amongst a host of changes for the leading squad. The WRC programme will move inhouse next season with Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe taking it over from Tommi Mäkinen Racing who helped develop the project.

“Meanwhile, it was announced back in September that Mäkinen who had led Toyota’s WRC programme from its return in 2017, will move over to take up the role of Motorsport Advisor to Toyota Motor Corporation.” said Mäkinen.

“The goal of the Toyota WRC-project was to re-start the world rallying operation effectively with the flexible organization which only a small company can achieve.”

“I am happy to say that this goal has now been reached and it is time for me to move on to new challenges with Toyota. I want to thank Akio Toyoda for trusting me with this project and supporting us all the way to reach the goals we set together.”

Selected by Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, Latvala was brought in to bring a driver’s perspective to the WRC programmes management team that also includes Yuichiro Haruna, Project Director; Kaj Lindström, Sporting Director; and Tom Fowler, Technical Director.

“It’s been a year since we gave Jari-Matti a send-off from the team as a driver. And now, I’m very glad that I’m delivering this message again. When thinking about our new team from 2021, Jari-Matti’s face first came to my mind. That’s because there were many situations in which I empathised with him since we met.” said Toyoda.

“He always thinks of the fans and of his team-mates. Being one of the top drivers, I often saw him running up to fans as soon as he got out of the car at the service park. He cared about everybody in the team like mechanics and engineers and always talked to them. I believe this kind of attitude and character empowered the team a lot and helped lead to the manufacturers’ title.”

“When I first met him, he was wearing Volkswagen overalls, but he talked to me about his old Celicas and Corollas with a huge passion. The following year, he changed his overalls to Toyota’s. He loved our Yaris WRC, took very good care of it, and made it stronger. As a car guy who loves cars, I still remember how happy I was to see his love for cars and love for Toyota.”

“’We hate to lose.’ This is also what we have in common. When he had to retire at Rally Australia in 2017, he must have been more disappointed than anyone else, however, he came to the team members and apologised for his mistake. He has a strong sense of responsibility. I know the ‘we hate to lose’ mindset makes the team and cars stronger.”

“His ability as a manager is unproven, but the attributes that we have in common between us were the deciding factors for entrusting the team to him. I believe these will bring the strength to the team.”

“I trust him to lead the new Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team and I’m looking forward to climbing up onto the roof of the Yaris WRC with him.”

The Finnish driver played a crucial role in the development of the Toyota Yaris WRC, before taking the brands first win in just the second event into its return at Rally Sweden. Before helping the Toyota secure its first manufacturer’s title in nearly twenty years back in 2018 with a win at Rally Australia.

“I am really honoured to be taking on this position with the team, and by the trust that Akio Toyoda has shown in me. I’m really excited to continue the work he started together with Tommi, having been a part of this team from the beginning as a driver.” said Latvala.

“Now, as Team Principal, I have to see the bigger picture: I have to motivate everybody in the team to work together to achieve the best results. It’s a new challenge and I’m up for it.”

“Tommi has done a fantastic job with the team, building it up from zero and bringing the success that he has. Of course, there is always room for improvement and I want to use what I have learned over the years as a driver and work together with the team directors to make this team as successful as possible.”

“The 2021 season is just around the corner but the entire package is already there within the team, with a proven car and the same strong driver line-up, and everybody knows what needs to be done to prepare for Rallye Monte-Carlo in January.”

During 2020, Latvala has served as an ambassador for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing around the world, something that will continue in his new role as Team Principal.

WRC is scheduled to return to action with Rally Monte Carlo in late January.

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