Toyota announced on November 3 that it will enter the 2027 World Rally Championship with two teams and two car models. TOYOTA RACING will field the GR Celica Rally1, while GAZOO Racing TOYOTA will use the new GR Yaris Rally1. Returning champions Ott Tänak and Kalle Rovanperä join Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta in a six-driver line-up.
Two team identities, with a partial programme for Rovanperä
TOYOTA RACING’s GR Celica Rally1 roster comprises newly crowned world champion Evans, 2026 runner-up Solberg and third-placed Pajari. The new car will bring the Celica name, a prominent part of Toyota’s rally history, back to the WRC.
GAZOO Racing TOYOTA will run Tänak, Katsuta and Rovanperä in the 2027 GR Yaris Rally1. Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja won the 2019 world title with Toyota. Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen took consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023; their return will cover selected events rather than a full season.
A six-driver line-up does not mean six cars are guaranteed at every rally. Toyota is preparing to field up to six factory entries, with Rovanperä’s partial programme creating opportunities for others. The announcement identifies possible selected appearances by experienced drivers such as Sébastien Ogier, without confirming an additional fixed seat.
One headquarters and two cars for the new regulations
Both teams will continue to operate from the same headquarters in Jyväskylä, Finland. Toyota says they will compete as equal challengers for victories, using driver feedback to develop both cars rather than making one squad a supporting operation.
The expansion follows Toyota’s sixth consecutive manufacturers’ championship in 2026. The drivers’ contest lasted until the final stage of the season, with Evans finishing five points ahead of Solberg and six ahead of Pajari. The new structure keeps that title-contending trio and brings two former world champions back into competition.
Technical change is equally important. Toyota says both cars will use the same new WRC Car regulations with equal power and performance as the objective. Development continues, homologation is expected before year-end, and more technical and livery details will follow before the season. The manufacturer’s performance target is not yet a demonstrated competitive result.
The announcement also says the team is concluding six days of rally-simulation testing with its 2027 prototype on November 3. A groundbreaking ceremony for a new technical centre at nearby Majajärvi took place on November 2, linking the line-up announcement with continued investment in cars and facilities.
| Team | 2027 car | Drivers |
|---|---|---|
| TOYOTA RACING | GR Celica Rally1 | Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, Sami Pajari |
| GAZOO Racing TOYOTA | GR Yaris Rally1 | Ott Tänak, Takamoto Katsuta, Kalle Rovanperä (selected events) |
INKA SPORTS Analysis and Summary: Turning a larger line-up into performance
The six-driver group combines the defending champion, younger rally winners and returning title holders within one development organisation. The practical change is the need to coordinate two cars and two competing teams under one roof. Shared experience can support comparisons between driver feedback, but homologation, actual entries and rally performance will test how effectively the structure works.
The plan expands Toyota’s factory commitment and redistributes responsibilities for the new era. The two teams, two cars and six named drivers are confirmed; Rovanperä’s specific events, possible guest appearances and further technical details remain to be announced.
