Reported
Toyota considers six-car WRC entry for 2027 season
Toyota Gazoo Racing is reportedly exploring a six-car World Rally Championship entry for 2027, influenced by Sébastien Ogier's future.
Toyota Gazoo Racing is reportedly contemplating an expanded six-car entry for the 2027 World Rally Championship season, a significant increase from its current five-car operation, according to RallyJournal. This potential expansion is closely linked to the introduction of new technical regulations aimed at reducing costs and enhancing competition within the sport.
Future Regulatory Impact
The World Rally Championship will transition to new technical regulations in 2027, moving away from the current Rally1 cars towards machinery that is conceptually much closer to today’s Rally2 cars. The primary objectives of these regulatory changes include increasing competitive parity, significantly reducing operational costs for teams, and lowering the entry barrier for new manufacturers considering participation in the championship. The expectation is that these cost reductions could make it financially viable for teams to field more cars, thereby potentially expanding the grid and driver opportunities.
Ogier's Influence on Line-up Decisions
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, a Finn, indicated that the future plans of nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier will significantly influence the team's driver line-up for the 2027 season. Latvala stated to RallyJournal that discussions with the 42-year-old French driver, who will turn 43 in December, are crucial, as his decision regarding continued participation will largely shape Toyota’s overall strategy for the number of drivers it employs. Ogier has competed on a part-time basis for several years, and his status remains a pivotal factor in the team's planning process.
Budgetary Considerations and Expansion Possibilities
The new regulations are expected to substantially lower the budget required to operate a World Rally Car, potentially enabling teams like Toyota to expand their entries without a proportional increase in expenditure. Juha Kankkunen, a Toyota figure, suggested the team could potentially field as many as six cars next year, a possibility neither confirmed nor dismissed by Latvala. Latvala explained that the anticipated reduction in car costs would allow for the addition of another car within a similar budget frame as the current Rally1 operations. This aligns with the championship’s broader goal of making WRC more accessible and economically sustainable for participating teams.
Anticipated Announcement and Driver Speculation
Toyota is reportedly planning to announce its driver line-up for the 2027 season during Rally Paraguay, which is scheduled for the final weekend of August. Beyond Sébastien Ogier’s decision, significant interest surrounds whether the 2019 world champion Ott Tänak will feature in the confirmed list. Tänak has conducted extensive testing of Toyota’s new-regulation car, suggesting a potential role within the team’s future plans. The upcoming announcement will clarify the team’s direction and personnel for the significantly revised 2027 season.
Status And Sources
This story is labelled Reported, which means a newsroom we cite carries this but the people involved have not confirmed it. The rules behind those labels are in the editorial policy, and the desk that published it is Sanni Koskela.
Written from the following reporting. Each link goes to the newsroom's own page, not to an aggregator:
- RallyJournalrallyjournal.com
