In a significant update for the World Rally Championship (WRC), Elfyn Evans will continue with Toyota Gazoo Racing for a fifth season, while the reigning world champion Kalle Rovanpera transitions to a part-time role in 2024.
Evans, who finished as runner-up in this year’s WRC, expressed his enthusiasm about extending his time with Toyota.
"We've had some great successes together over the last four years and I'm excited to continue that story," said Evans, highlighting the positive relationship he has built with the team since joining in 2020.
He added, "I gelled with the team immediately when I joined and it feels very much like home now. 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."
The Welsh driver joined the ranks of Toyota in 2020 and quickly made his mark, finishing as WRC runner-up in both of his first two seasons in the Yaris. After a challenging fourth place finish in 2022, he rebounded with a victory in the 2023 season-ending Rally Japan, securing his runner-up position for the third time in four years.
In a surprising turn, Kalle Rovanpera, who successfully defended his title in 2023, will share one of the team’s Yaris Rally1 hybrids with the legendary Sebastien Ogier. Rovanpera highlighted the necessity of this adjustment, stating, "The biggest reason is that I've been driving rally for a really, really long time. I just found that was a good moment to take a bit of a break, to recharge the batteries and to have a bit of time off to focus on the future and to have more energy and more push in the coming years."
Rovanpera made history in 2022 as the youngest WRC champion at 22 years of age and has had a remarkable run since then. He aims to return to a full-time programme in 2025, utilizing 2024 to refresh his mental and physical readiness for the demanding sport.
The 2024 roster will also feature Takamoto Katsuta, who is set to drive in the second Yaris Rally1 hybrid for Toyota Gazoo Racing. Ogier, the eight-time world champion, has participated in the WRC part time for the last two seasons, including a dramatic finish in 2021 when he narrowly defeated Evans for the title in a thrilling final race.
With Rovanpera and Ogier essentially not contesting the overall championship in 2024, Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin may find themselves in an advantageous position to lead Toyota to their fourth successive WRC victory.
As the motorsport community gears up for the 2024 season, excitement builds for the Monte Carlo Rally, set to kick off the series from January 25 to 28. The changes within Toyota Gazoo Racing signal a dynamic year ahead in the WRC, with seasoned competitors and fresh strategies set to unfold on the rally tracks.
Overall, the upcoming season promises to be filled with intense competition and opportunities for emerging talents and established champions alike. Evans, with his renewed commitment to Toyota, aims to leverage his experience towards securing championship glory, while Rovanpera paces himself for an energized return.