July 7, 2015 – Toyota has determined its team structure leading up to its return to the World Rally Championship in 2017. Toyota President Akio Toyoda will serve as team chairman while WRC legend Tommi Makinen will be offering his expertise as team principal.
With comprehensive oversight from Makinen, who holds four drivers’ titles over his WRC career, the team will strengthen its vehicle development capabilities and work toward 2017.
Toyota will compete in the 2017 World Rally Championship and a Yaris WRC car is currently going through a development programme ahead of Toyota’s return.
Over an 18-year career spanning from 1985 to 2003, Tommi Mäkinen, won 24 WRC rallies. During his career at Mitsubishi, he accomplished four consecutive WRC drivers’ titles (1996 to 1999). He also achieved impressive results after moving to Subaru World Rally team in 2002, prior to his retirement from WRC the following year.