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Toyota Eyes Strengthened Performance with Rovanpera’s Full-Time Return
Toyota is optimistic that the reinstatement of Kalle Rovanpera as a full-time driver in the World Rally Championship (WRC) will significantly bolster the performance of his teammate, Elfyn Evans, this season.
As the team prepares for the upcoming season opener in Monte Carlo, Toyota is eager to contend for both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships. This year’s lineup sees an impressive expansion, featuring four full-time drivers and a part-time campaign with eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier.
Rovanpera, a two-time world champion, is focusing on achieving a third title by 2025 after taking a step back for a partial campaign last year. Joining him in the full-time roster will be Evans, who finished as the runner-up in last year’s championship, along with Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari.
In the previous season, Toyota operated with only two full-time drivers, Evans and Katsuta, while Rovanpera and Ogier participated in a limited capacity. This setup placed additional pressure on Evans to accrue championship points across the 13 rounds.
Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed confidence that the broader driver lineup will aid Evans in his bid for a first world title. He remarked on the challenges faced during the 2023 season and noted the advantages of increased team strength for their drivers.
“When we operated with two full-time drivers, we recognized that it would pose certain difficulties, and indeed it did,” Latvala stated.
Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
“Ultimately, we had to call upon Sebastien to participate in more events, which he willingly agreed to do. Our original plan for 2025 included three full-time drivers, but now we have managed to secure four.”
Latvala continued, “For Elfyn, having another driver in the championship hunt alleviates some of the individual pressure, which is vital from a manufacturers’ championship standpoint. With Kalle alongside him, I believe Elfyn will be in a much stronger position for 2025, placing him back in the title race.”
Evans shared his perspective on the strengthened lineup, acknowledging the benefits it may bring to his performance. “There is definitely strength in numbers; I view this lineup as robust,” he told Autosport. “Ultimately, our goals align: I seek points, the team seeks points, and good individual results will naturally benefit our collective efforts.”
“My focus remains on delivering my best performance; I don’t feel the need to concern myself with anything beyond that,” he added.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
To get ready for Monte Carlo, Evans engaged in a pre-event test in France, marking his first experience driving a GR Yaris without hybrid power and using the new Hankook tires set for 2025. “With the introduction of Hankook and the changes to the technical regulations, we anticipate needing to adapt to various surfaces and learning how to use the new tires effectively. This is a common challenge all teams will face,” he noted after his testing.
“Monte Carlo offers multiple tire options, and the limited testing available today complicates the ability to evaluate these tires under diverse conditions,” Evans explained. “During our test, we had some rainy conditions, which provided valuable experience, but we still lack a full understanding.”
“Monte Carlo is notoriously demanding, and adjusting to the varied conditions is crucial for making the right tire choices at key moments while avoiding pitfalls. A small mistake can derail an entire weekend; it’s easier said than done, but we intend to rise to the occasion.”
As the new season approaches, the anticipation builds around Toyota’s enhanced driver lineup and its potential to impact both individual and team success on the WRC circuit.
Source
www.autosport.com