Quotes:
Jari-Matti Latvala (Team Principal)
“I am very happy to have such a strong line-up of drivers heading into 2022 and an exciting new era for the WRC. It’s very nice to have Elfyn and Kalle continuing with us as drivers who can fight for the championship. Elfyn is a really consistent driver, always helping to get the points for the team towards the championship, but as he proved with his victory on Rally Finland, he’s also absolutely one of the fastest drivers and definitely one of the contenders to win the title. We have seen really great performances from Kalle this year. He is developing all the time and as he gains more and more experience, he can also become a strong contender for championships. Seb is a great champion and he will be really valuable for us again next season, even though he will no longer be targeting the drivers’ title for himself. Finally, I’m delighted to bring Esapekka back into the team. He proved with us before that he can win, and since then I think he has been growing a lot. His motivation is very high, and he showed his speed on his return last weekend. I believe he is the perfect driver to share the seat with Seb, to help us in the championship but also be there to fight for victories himself.”

Elfyn Evans
“I’m really pleased to continue driving with the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team. I have very much enjoyed my time here so far over the past two years, and to win for the team on its home rally in Finland last weekend was an extra-special feeling for me. Now we are getting ready to enter a new phase with new regulations, and I’m excited to work with everyone in the team to do the best job we can in developing the Rally1 car and trying to achieve the best results possible next season. Before then, I’m keen to round off this year on a strong note and help to secure the championship for the team.”

Kalle Rovanperä
“I’m very happy to be staying with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. My first two years with the team have been really good. I have been learning a lot, and the team has given me the chance to learn and to drive in my own way without big pressure. We have a really major change coming for next year with a totally new car, and it’s going to be a big challenge for the whole team. But it’s really positive to already be familiar with the team when we’re developing the car together and to be able to provide our own ideas as drivers. The team is putting a lot of work into it and I’m excited to help them in the best way possible.”

Sébastien Ogier
“I’m looking forward to having more time with my family after this year, but at the same time I’m very happy to remain with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing and having the chance to compete in some rallies next year. I’m very thankful to the team for giving me this opportunity to keep doing on a partial basis what I love to do. The schedule of events is not clear yet, but I will do my best to help the team in the manufacturers’ championship and to develop the car. I’m excited to see what this new generation of cars bring to the sport and I know the team is putting a lot of effort into it.”

Esapekka Lappi
“I am very, very happy to be returning to the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing team. It feels like I’m coming home. I have some great memories from the past and it was really nice to work with people from the team again at Rally Finland. As soon as I got back into the Yaris WRC, it felt again like this was my car. Of course, for next year we will have a new car and although I have not driven it yet, it seems like it will be very different with the new regulations. But it will be interesting to be a part of it and I’m very excited about the future.”