Why Toyota believes Rovanpera’s WRC return will benefit Evans 

Toyota expects the return of Kalle Rovanpera to a full-time World Rally Championship drive will make team-mate Elfyn Evans “a lot stronger” this 12 months. 

The Japanese squad is gearing as much as start a tilt at each the drivers’ and producers’ titles subsequent week in Monte Carlo, with an expanded line-up that options 4 full-time drivers and a partial marketing campaign for eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier. 

Amongst its full-time roster is two-time world champion Rovanpera, who’s eyeing a 3rd world crown in 2025 after opting to undertake a partial marketing campaign final 12 months. The Finn will probably be joined by Evans  – final 12 months’s title runner-up – Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari. 

In distinction, Toyota fielded solely two full-time drivers final 12 months within the type of Evans and Katsuta, with Rovanpera and Ogier supporting in part-time roles. It meant there was extra stress on Evans to ship championship factors from the 13 rounds. 

Reflecting on Rovanpera’s full-time return and its choice to develop its driver roster, Toyota group principal Jari-Matti Latvala is satisfied the energy in numbers will profit Evans in his quest for a maiden world title.

“After we went with two full-time drivers we knew it was going to be a bit extra of a difficult season and it was,” stated Latvala.

“Finally we needed to ask Sebastien to drive extra occasions which he was keen to do. For 2025, the plan was to have three drivers full-time however now we’ve 4 full-time.

“Additionally I believe for Elfyn when there’s one other driver combating for the title it’s good because it means he doesn’t have the stress on his shoulders [from a manufacturers’ points of view] as he isn’t alone. 

“It’s a little bit exhausting for him however with Kalle there I believe Elfyn will be a lot stronger in 2025. I believe he will be again within the struggle for the championship.”

When requested for his ideas on whether or not an expanded Toyota line-up might assist his 2025 marketing campaign, the four-time WRC title runner-up informed Autosport: “There’s energy in numbers, I believe it’s a fairly sturdy line-up.

“On the finish of the day the 2 issues go hand in hand. I would like the factors, the group desires the factors and finally the higher job you do for your self the group advantages, and we’ve at all times gone with that mentality for the reason that starting in 2020. 

“I simply must deal with doing the very best job I can. I don’t actually need to fret about anything.”   

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photograph by: Toyota Racing

Evans stepped up his preparations for Monte Carlo by finishing a pre-event check in France, driving a GR Yaris without hybrid power for the first time, whereas additionally operating the new-for-2025 Hankook tyres. 

“We all know with the introduction of Hankook for 2025 and naturally the technical rules [no hybrid] as nicely imply that we’ll in all probability have a little bit of adaptation to do on all surfaces, and a little bit of studying do with the brand new tyre however it’s the identical for everybody,” stated Evans after his check. 

“For Monte Carlo, we’ve the largest selection of tyres out there and naturally with very restricted testing we’ve these days it is extremely troublesome to strive these tyres in all completely different situations.

“We had wet situations [on the test] so we may have that have however it’s exhausting to get the total image.

“Monte as we all know is extraordinarily difficult and adapting to the situations is principally the important thing to creating the proper tyre calls on the proper time, and naturally staying out of bother.

“We all know how troublesome and the way simple it’s to make even a small mistake that may fully wreck your weekend. It’s simpler stated than accomplished, however we nonetheless must go there and provides it our greatest shot.”