With Sami Pajari’s return to Toyota’s factory team now just a week away, the biggest question in Chile is likely to be about the math. Five drivers and four cars. How can Jari-Matti Latvala make that work?
The Japanese manufacturer’s line-up is coming under close scrutiny as the 2024 season nears its conclusion. For Sébastien Ogier, the choice is largely his on how big a part he would like to play next year. Kalle Rovanperä is due to make a full-time return with Evans set for a sixth season aboard a Yaris.
But what about Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta, the man he replaces in Concepción? Before being benched for next week’s Rally Chile, Katsuta had been a Toyota full-timer since 2022, while the 22-year-old Finn, who replaces the Japanese in South America, is seen as part of the team’s future.
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala offered DirtFish his thoughts.
“Let’s say that we are looking at this young driver program and we want to invest for the future,” he said. “We want to educate young drivers. So, Sami fits very well for the profile. Also we have Taka, we want Taka to be able to improve and get, you know, more consistency because we know Taka has speed. There is no question about that.
“So, of course, our idea is to look the options to find something for both of them. At this point I can’t say anything more about it because negotiations are still open.”
DirtFish understands five GR Yaris Rally1s on WRC rounds is possible next season, but only the three manufacturer-nominated cars would run under the official Toyota Gazoo Racing banner.
One source close to the team said: “Everything is being considered now. Of course Toyota has the potential to run five cars, but maybe it’s better to have one – or two – of those run by a satellite [team] at the side of the main Toyota service area.”
There’s nothing new in that, of course, with Katsuta and more recently Jari-Matti Latvala and Juho Hänninen being run in such a way.
“We shouldn’t forget, there’s still the Rally2 car to be considered. Would Toyota ask Taka to step back to WRC2? Hard to imagine that happening, but I’m sure if there are complicated logistics with Rally1 cars, it’s better to have Sami in a Rally2 and taking experience than sitting at home and not driving.
“There’s a lot to be decided still and, of course, there’s a lot more data for the team to take from the next two and three rallies before firm decisions are made.”
