The 35-year-old Finn was confirmed on Friday (December 18) following September’s announcement that Mäkinen will stand to one side and take over the role of Toyota’s motorsport adviser in 2021.
The change is part of an update in which Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe will take control of the company ‘s FIA World Rally Championship program next season from Tommi Mäkinen Racing.
As a driver, Latvala has been part of Toyota’s founding since the Japanese company returned to the WRC in 2017. It was influential in the development of the Yaris World Rally Car and received its first car debut in Sweden. on the second start.
He helped the squad win the manufacturers ’world title the following year before his full-time driving career ended after the 2019 season. This year he held the role of ambassador with TGR.
Toyoda suggested to go …
Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda has thanked Toyota Gazoo racing team principal Tommi Mäkinen for his …
Read More
“It is a great honor for me to take on this role with the team, and with the trust that Akio Toyoda (the team chairman) has shown in me,” Latvala said.
“I am delighted to continue the work he began with Tommi, having been part of this team from the beginning as a driver.
“Now, as a team principal, I need to see the bigger picture. I need to encourage everyone in the team to work together to get the best results. It’s a new challenge and I’m up for it.
“Tommi has done a fantastic job with the team, building it from zero and making it a success. Of course, there is always room for improvement and I want to use what I have learned over the years as a driver and work with team leaders to make this team as successful as possible.
“The 2021 season is just around the corner but the whole package is already inside the
team, with a certified car and the same strong driver, and everyone knows what needs to be done to prepare for the Monte-Carlo Rallye in January, ”he said.
Latvala is the most experienced driver of the WRC with 209 starts to name. He won 18 rallies and is still the youngest driver to win the WRC round after winning the Rally Sweden in 2008, at the age of 22 years and 313 days.
He is joined by a management team that also includes project director Yuichiro Haruna, sports director Kaj Lindström and technical director Tom Fowler.
This is Latvala ‘s first management role but Toyoda said Latvala’ s commitment and approach made it the best option.
“His ability as a manager is unquestionable, but the qualities we have in common were the determinants of trust for the team. I believe these will give strength to the team.
“When I thought about our new team from 2021, Jari-Matti’s face first came to mind. That’s because there were many situations in which I sympathized with him since we met.
“He always thinks of his fans and friends. Being one of the top drivers, I often saw him run up to fans as soon as he got out of the car at the service park.
“He cared about everyone on the team as a mechanic and engineer and would always talk to them. I believe that this kind of look and character gave the team a lot of power and helped with the title of the manufacturers.
Video: ACI Rally Monza Toyota on board
Latvala joined Toyota after four seasons at Volkswagen Motorsport and six seasons before that in Fords with M-Sport.
“When I first met him, he was wearing Volkswagen clothes, but he spoke to me about the old Celicas and Corollas with great passion. The next year, he changed his monsters to Toyota’s. As a car lover, I still remember how happy I was to see his love for cars and his love for Toyota, ”said Toyoda.
Latvala is in charge of an unchanged driver for 2021 that will include newly crowned world champion Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä.
Takamoto Katsuta also competes all round under the Toyota Gazoo Racing Challenge Program. Juho Hänninen, a former Toyota driver, will become the instructor of the Japanese driver.
“I know him very well and I’ve been experimenting with him and sitting next to him in the car. He is obviously a very good driver, has years of experience and understands the car well. I’m sure I’ll be a better driver with his advice, ”said Katsuta.