TOYOTA GAZOO Racing has switched up the style palette for 2024 as they ditch the dominant white livery for a more blacked out design. The design have more of an edgy presence to them which seems to be the direction many teams are headed for in 2024. Bold and definitive seems to be the new look.
Toyota Gazoo Racing Reveals the 2024 WRC Livery. Photo Courtesy of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRTThe reveal came on the same day the team announced their 2024 motorsport team setups. The announcement came from “Morizo” (Chairman Akio Toyoda), Tomoya Takahashi, President of GAZOO Racing Company, and the drivers leading the TGR activities in Japan joined the attendees. He gave the following speech.
Chairman Akio Toyoda’s Speech on the 2023 Season
“In the 2023 season, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing won eight titles!
Morizo hates to lose too often…
Therefore I am as delighted as you could expect with eight titles.
I’m so happy! To the team, to the drivers, and to the fans, thank you so much! Now the phrase “hate to lose” has become our slogan.
In Rally Finland, Kalle Rovanperä said to me “We hate to lose” after he went off couse and showed that we never give up. Not only the drivers, but also everyone in the whole team hates to lose!
I felt that this common understanding is the secret to our strength!
Why do I hate to lose too often? The other day, I looked back at my past.
I remembered a scene at the Nurburgring when I was being overtaken by other cars. This scene was the origin of my ‘hate to lose’ mentality! This scene was the origin of my ‘hate to lose’ mind! The cars that overtook me were new vehicles developed by European manufacturers…and I was driving an 80 Supra, which had already gone out of production and sales…I felt that the cars that overtook me were saying “Toyota will never make such a car like this…” It’s frustrating to remember even now… This frustration was my origin.
The No 8 Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar at the Season Closer in Bahrain. Photo Courtesy of Toyota Gazoo RacingSince then, I have been determined to make a car like that! I have been working hard to achieve this.
That’s the reason I’ve continued my driving training.
Even though I am not an engineer, I wanted to participate in car development somehow, which is why I took action.”
Toyoda Continued
“It took almost 20 years, and now I really have a lot of friends.
Not only drivers but also engineers and mechanics.
We share our frustrations… and we fight in motorsport.
We are all friends trying to make a car that was said to be “impossible” to make at the time.
To win in motorsports, you have to make a car that is easy to drive together.
I believe that the eight titles are exactly the result of our ability to make such cars.”
Earlier this week it was announced Kalle Rovanperä would contest a part-time campaign in 2024. What could this mean for the WRC? Find out below.
A New Champion
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. With Rovanperä only competing at select events he won’t be able to win the championship. Unless he competes at say 10 of the 13 events, which is something he sounds as if he doesn’t want to do. Meaning there will be a “new” champion in 2024. The term “new” is used loosely as Ott Tänak has a strong chance at winning another championship. Although his last and only title win came in 2019. The battle for the championship will likely be a three-horse race. As Hyundai drivers Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville will battle it out with Elfyn Evans from Toyota.
How It Benefits The WRC
There is a silver lining that makes the Rovanperä move to part-time a good one for the WRC. The part of this that benefits the WRC is basically the same thing as the above section. As a prolonged title fight equals more fan interest throughout the season. Fans don’t want to watch a title fight that they can guess the result of before the season even starts. Before Rovanperä, if you guessed Ogier or Loeb would win the championship, you were most likely correct. In 2024 we will get a taste of what it was like before the Sebastien domination. As before the mid-2000s the championship was pretty much anybody’s to win.
Does Rovanperä Move To Part-Time Say Anything About The WRC
To be honest, no Rovanperä wanting a part-time drive next season doesn’t say much about the WRC. As Rovanperä had a very good reason for wanting to do a part-time drive. That reason being he has driven rally cars for the past 15 years with no real breaks. Like anyone when you do something for that long you get tired of it. Rovanperä also wants to explore other motorsports while he’s still young. He’s not really interested in chasing Loeb’s nine-championship record, or at least anytime soon.
The Underlying Facts
Kalle Rovanperä going to part-time isn’t necessarily a bad thing for the WRC. As if not only allows a new champion to be crowned. It also allows him a break to hopefully pursue rally into his late 30’s. At the end of the day, Rovanperä will be missed, however, if he needed a break he needed a break. For him why wait? He has nothing to lose. He’s the best driver in the WRC currently. A year off isn’t going to change that.
Earlier today the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT announced their 2024 World Rally Championship lineup.
Full-Time Drivers
Elfyn Evans
Elfyn Evans remains a full-time driver for the Japanese team. This comes after Evans had a strong 2023 season. Winning three events and pushing the championship battle to the Central European Rally. A battle that could’ve gone further if Evans hadn’t crashed into a barn on the third day of the event. Evans also claimed 4 additional podiums in 2023.
“I’m looking forward to heading into what will be my fifth consecutive year with the team. We’ve had some great successes together over the last four years and I’m excited to continue that story with Toyota Gazoo Racing. I gelled with the team immediately when I joined and it feels very much like home now. The support from everyone to get me feeling comfortable in the GR YARIS Rally1 has been great, and we’ve continued to make progress this year. I’m keen to build on that and be even better in 2024. We have a lot more to achieve together and I’m excited about the future. As always, the target will be to win, whether that’s in each rally or in the championship.” Said Evans.
Takamoto Katsuta
This also isn’t a change. As Katsuta has been a full-time driver for Toyota since 2021. Katsuta still has yet to claim his first rally win. However, Katsuta had a strong showing this past weekend at his home event in Japan. As the 30-year-old put on the drive of a lifetime. Winning nearly half of the events stages, nobody could stop Katsuta. However, this didn’t lead to a win as a crash on SS2 forced Katsuta into EV mode for SS2 and SS3. Toyota is hoping this is a sign of things to come for the Japanese star.
“I’m really excited to start a new season with [the team] next year. I learned a lot this year: there were some rallies that were good for me and some that were not so good, but those have made me stronger and will hopefully help me in the future. Next year will be important to prove what I can do, and I will try to make it the best season of my career so far.” Said Katsuta.
Part-Time
Sebastien Ogier
Eight-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier will once again be a part-time driver for the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT. Ogier was arguably a top-three driver this past season. Winning three of the eight events he competed in. He likely would’ve also won Rally Italia Sardegna if his foot hadn’t slipped during a stage. Ogier will provide Toyota with a strong third car at the events he competes in. The number of events Ogier will compete in is still unknown. However, it sounds as if Ogier will compete in 10 events next season.
“I am of course really happy to still be with Toyota Gazoo Racing for next year. The 2023 season has been good for me and more importantly for the team, and managing to clinch all three titles again is great. I also really enjoy the balance that this kind of partial programme gives me, and next season should be pretty similar in that respect. As long as the success is there for me and the team, I think we should try to carry on in a similar way.” Said Ogier.
Kalle Rovanperä
The biggest shock of the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT is Kalle Rovanperä moving to part-time. Rovanperä has good reason for this, however. As the two-time World Rally Champion wants a little break.
“I am really excited to have signed a multi-year contract and to continue working with the team. Next year I am only going to be driving some of the events and the biggest reason for this is that I have been driving rally cars for 15 years already, which is quite a long time, and while the last seasons have been amazing of course, they have also been really demanding mentally and physically. So, I felt that now would be a good moment to take a year for recharging the batteries, and then come back again full-time to fight for the championship once more with a full attack. I enjoy all kinds of motorsport and I’m looking forward to doing some drifting and maybe some other cool events as well as the rallies which we will be selecting next year.” Said Rovanperä.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Principal Jari-Matti Latvala said the following about the 2024 lineup. “We are very happy to be keeping our winning driver line-up together for the future. It’s great to know that we have such a strong squad of drivers who feel at home in our car and our team and want to continue working with us. Kalle’s programme will be a bit different in 2024 but the important thing for us is that he is a Toyota driver and he wants to stay with the team and keep enjoying his passion for rallying.
Even though he is young, he has been driving rally cars at a serious level for a long time and he feels a part-campaign would be best for him now so that we can look forward to more full seasons together in the future. It’s also great that Seb continues with us, and it means that together with Kalle, we will have two multiple world champions as strong assets in our defence of the manufacturers’ championship. Elfyn has shown us again this year that he can win rallies and compete for championships, and we know he will give his best efforts in every rally. Taka proved at Rally Finland this year that he can be up there in the fastest rallies and hopefully, we can see him as a contender for podiums in almost every rally next season.”
The fourth and final day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Elfyn Evans held on to take home the win.
SS17, Asahi Kougen 1
Thierry Neuville kicked off the final day of Forum8 Rally with a stage win. As Neuville would set a time 2.1 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta to win the day’s opening stage. Elfyn Evans and Esapekka Lappi tied for third fastest on the stage, with both drivers finishing 2 seconds slower than Katsuta. Kalle Rovanperä posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans and Lappi. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five times on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS18, Ena City 1
Thierry Neuville also took the win on the second stage of the day. With Nueville posting a time 6.1 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta for his second stage win of the day. Elfyn Evans finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Katsuta. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.7 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 1.5 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS19, Nenoune Kougen 1
Takamoto Katsuta snapped Thierry Neuville’s win streak on the nineteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. As Katsuta would set a time 5.3 seconds faster than Neuville to win his first stage of the day. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Lappi. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Evans.
SS20, Ena City 2
Thierry Neuville was back to his winning ways on SS20. As the Belgian posted a time 3 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 8 seconds slower than Lappi. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS21, Nenoune Kougen 2
Takamoto Katsuta took the stage win on the 21st and penultimate stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Katsuta won the stage by setting a time 4.6 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville. Ott Tänak finished third fastest, 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Esapekka Lappi posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.8 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS22, Wolf Power Stage Asahi Kougen 2
Thierry Neuville took home the final stage win of the 2023 WRC season. As Neuville posted a time 2.3 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win the stage. Esapekka Lappi finished third fastest, 4.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Lappi. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Katsuta.
The third day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Elfyn Evans retains the event lead after the day’s seven stages.
SS9, Nukata Forest 1
Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the stage win on the opening stage of the third day of Forum8 Rally Japan. With both drivers posting a time 3.1 seconds faster than rally leader Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished with the third fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five times on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS10, Lake Mikawako 1
Takamoto Katsuta was the sole fastest time on SS10. As Katsuta set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest, 1 second slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time on the stage; 7.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.8 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS11, Okazaki City SSS1
Elfyn Evans took the win on the eleventh stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 0.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win his first stage of the day. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Tänak. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS12, Okazaki City SSS2
Elfyn Evans also took the stage win on SS12. Setting a time 0.9 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to win his second consecutive stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS13, Nukata Forest 2
Takamoto Katsuta was back to his winning ways on the thirteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. With Katsuta posting a time 2.8 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 5 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS14, Lake Mikawako 2
Takamoto Katsuta also took the win on SS14. Setting a time 0.8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win his fourth stage of the day. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Esapekka Lappi posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 3 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS15, Shinshiro City
Takamoto Katsuta also won the fifteenth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Katsuta would finish with a time 0.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to win his fifth stage of the day. Rally leader Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1 second slower than Rovanperä. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Lappi.
SS16, Toyota Stadium SSS3
Esapekka Lappi won the final stage of the third day of Forum8 Rally Japan. Lappi would set a time 1.5 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take his first stage win of the day. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.5 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Katsuta Shines Again
Takamoto Katsuta won five of the day’s seven stages. This moved Katsuta up from 9th to 6th overall, 14.9 seconds behind Tänak. Katsuta likely would’ve been in the rally lead if he hadn’t spun out on SS2. Katsuta has been arguably the best driver this weekend and feels like he has more to show.
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Elfyn Evans leads after the days seven stages.
SS2, Isegami’s Tunnel 1
Elfyn Evans took the first stage win of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 4 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 16.8 seconds slower than Ogier. WRC2 driver Andreas Mikkelsen posted the fourth fastest time, 6 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 5.5 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
SS3, Inabu Dam 1
Elfyn Evans also won the third stage of the weekend. With Evans posting a time 10.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. WRC2 driver Andreas Mikkelsen finished third fastest on the stage, 6.1 seconds slower than Neuville. WRC2 driver Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 18.3 seconds slower than Mikkelsen. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.3 seconds slower than Munster.
SS4, Shitara Town 1
Cancelled due to safety concerns.
SS5, Isegami’s Tunnel 2
Takamoto Katsuta took his first win of the weekend on the fifth stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 3.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to top the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest, 12.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Elfyn Evans set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.4 seconds slower than Evans.
SS6, Inabu Dam 2
Takamoto Katsuta also won the sixth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 0.3 seconds faster than rally leader Elfyn Evans to win his second consecutive stage at home. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 4.4 seconds slower than Evans. Kalle Rovanperä posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 12.1 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.3 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS7, Shitara Town 2
Takamoto Katsuta topped the seventh stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Posting a time 1.1 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to win his third consecutive stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 6.5 seconds slower than Evans. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.6 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the stage, 10.7 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SS8, Toyota Stadium SSS2
Esapekka Lappi took home the stage win on the final stage of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. Lappi would set a time 1 second faster than Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta who tied for second. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Katsuta and Ogier. Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Tänak. Elfyn Evans rounded the top five times on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
Katsuta Shines
Takamoto Katsuta was arguably the best driver on the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. As the Japanese driver could’ve been leading the rally by a decent margin. If it wasn’t for a crash and spin on SS2 that forced him to only use his hybrid engine for the stage. Despite the loss of time, Katsuta ends the second day in 9th, 25.1 seconds behind Ott Tänak.
The afternoon loop of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan is underway. Thierry Neuville is the latest driver to fall victim to the conditions.
Neuville Out
Thierry Neuville crashes out of Forum8 Rally Japan on the sixth stage of the event. Neuville sat second overall, 10.5 seconds behind Elfyn Evans heading into SS6. Unfortunately, just 100 meters into the stage Neuville overshot the first corner of the stage. Which caused him to hit a tree. As a result, Neuville was unable to restart the stage. Ending his day in the process.
Joining Two Others
Thierry Neuville is the third Rally1 driver to retire from the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan. As both Adrien Fourmaux and Dani Sordo retired on SS2 earlier today. Both Fourmaux and Sordo crashed out in the same spot on the stage. Hopefully, all three drivers will be able to restart the rally for day three.
Unfavorable Conditions
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has had some very unfavorable conditions throughout the day. As heavy rain forced the cancellation of SS4. Add that to fog on some stages and visibility is low. “I couldn’t see anything. I have done a lot of rallies in my life but I have never been scared as much as this morning.” Said Neuville after SS3. There are some questions to be raised about the safety of the stages. As on tight narrow stages like the ones in Japan, it leaves little room for error. Luckily there aren’t many places that go alongside a cliff edge. As that could end badly if an accident were to happen. Nevertheless, the rally will continue despite the conditions. It remains to be seen if more stages will get cancelled due to weather.
One Hyundai Driver Left
Only one Hyundai driver has the chance to win Forum8 Rally Japan. With Neuville and Sordo out, Esapekka Lappi is the sole Hyundai driver. Luckily manufacturer points don’t matter for Hyundai. As the manufacturers’ championship was won at Rally Chile BioBio. However, the Korean team was hoping to upset Toyota again this season by winning on home soil for Toyota like last season.
The first stage of the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan is underway, however, two drivers have already crashed out.
Sordo Out
Dani Sordo is out of Forum8 Rally Japan. As the Spaniard crashed out on the first stage of the second day. Oddly enough this is the same stage that caught Sordo out last season. It’s an unfortunate ending for Sordo who is competing in his first event since EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. This will also be Sordo’s final event for the foreseeable future. As the 40-year-old has yet to confirm his plans for the 2024 season. He has said he wants to compete in at least Vodafone Rally Portugal next season. Although nothing has been confirmed with Hyundai.
Fourmaux Out
Adrien Fourmuax was also caught out by the stage. It’s a disappointing start for the Frenchmen’s second chance in a rally1 car. Fourmaux is subbing in for fellow Frenchman Pierre-Louis Loubet this weekend. After Loubet and M-Sport decided his final event would be the Central European Rally. Forumaux spent the 2023 season driving in the WRC2 class and the British Rally Championship. Fourmaux won the BRC championship, becoming the first French driver to do so. The rally1 drive this weekend was his reward for winning that championship and helping M-Sport develop the Fiesta Rally2. Hopefully, Fourmaux M-Sport will be able to fix the issue with Fourmaux’s Puma in time for tomorrow’s stages.
Katsuta Crashes
Takamoto Katsuta was on pace to win SS2. That was until he spun out, damaging his car. This led to the stage being red-flagged and Katsuta nursing the car for the final third of the stage. Katsuta is continuing the event, despite having a mangled front end. Katsuta likely won’t retire unless his car completely gives out. As this is his home event and he wants to put on the best show he can in front of his home crowd.
Rough Conditions
So far the second day of Forum8 Rally Japan has had rough conditions. As rain has made the roads slick. Add that to the fog on the stages and it becomes a mess. Drivers for the most part have slowed down to a manageable pace. In hopes of not joining Sordo and Fourmaux on the retirement list.
The first day of Forum8 Rally Japan has come to an end. Thierry Neuville leads the rally after the day’s lone stage.
Shakedown
Thierry Neuville topped the shakedown stage. Posting a time 1.4 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier and Takamoto finished third fastest, 0.2 seconds slower than their Toyota teammate Evans. 2023 World Rally Champion Kalle Rovanperä set the fourth fastest time, 0.1 seconds slower than Ogier and Katsuta. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five times on the shakedown stages, finishing 0.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä.
SSS1, Toyota Stadium
Thierry Neuville also took home the stage win on the first stage of Forum8 Rally Japan. Setting a time 0.7 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Ott Tänak finished third fastest, 0.7 seconds slower than Lappi. Dani Sordo posted the fourth fastest time, 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta rounded out the top five, finishing 1.3 seconds slower than Sordo.
Toyota Struggles
The first stage was a difficult one for Toyota’s drivers. As none of them finished top three or even close to the top three on the stage. Takamoto Katsuta was the closest, finishing 1.7 seconds behind third. This may seem small, but on a SuperSpecial stage that’s a fair bit of time. Moreover, the drivers you expect to be running near the top for Toyota finished at least 2.6 seconds behind third. This is time that could be the difference between winning and losing the rally. Why did they lose so much time? The exact answer to this isn’t known. Kalle Rovanperä said the car was difficult to control. The tightness of the SuperSpecial stage could be the reason for this. As the Toyota’s do well at speed on open roads, not in tight spaces.
What To Expect From Forum8 Rally Japan Day Two
The second day of Forum8 Rally Japan will see drivers contest seven special stages, totalling to 133.26 km. This includes two loops of three stages totalling to 65.58 km each loop. The seventh stage will be the SuperSpecial stage at the Toyota Stadium. The same stage ran today. Drivers will have a service at the end of each loop.
The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team has confirmed Esapekka Lappi will once again drive for the team in 2024.
Moving To Part-Time
Due to Ott Tänak returning to Hyundai in a full-time role next season, Lappi will move into a part-time role. This isn’t anything new for the Finnish driver. As Lappi has previously driven part-time with Toyota. As Lappi spent the 2022 season driving part-time for the Japanese manufacturer. Since his debut in 2017 Lappi has only won a single rally. That rally was the 2017 running of Secto Rally Finland.
Why This Is The Correct Move
Esapekka Lappi has been one of the more consistent drivers all season. Finishing top five at 5 of the 12 events so far this season. However it hasn’t all been pretty for Lappi. As a crash in Mexico took him out of the rally lead. More recently Lappi has crashed out of both Rally Chile BioBio and the Central European Rally on the opening day. Moving back to part-time is probably best for Lappi. As the 32 year old seems to yield better results as a part-time driver. Lappi will give Hyundai a safety net at the events he competes at, and will likely finish close to the podium in all the events he finishes.
Who Will Join Lappi?
The question of who will also drive part-time with Esapekka Lappi is still unanswered. The two likely candidates are Dani Sordo and Teemu Suninen. However, it’s a pretty safe guess to assume Suninen will drive for the team in some capacity next season. Although that may not be in the third car. Instead, Suninen may drive in the fourth i20 at select events. However, that is unlikely as Hyundai wants to use that car for developing new drivers. How Hyundai views Suninen next season will have an effect on what car he drives. A lot of who will join Lappi as a part-time driver will also be up to Dani Sordo. As if Sordo wants a seat with Hyundai next season he will get a seat. However, it seemed heading into Forum8 Rally Japan it was going to be Suninen and Sordo or Lappi as part-time drivers for the team.