Ott Tanak returns to WRC as Toyota's new test driver for 2027

Ott Tanak steps into a crucial test driver role at Toyota, gearing up for the 2027 World Rally Championship. This move marks a significant shift as Tanak, the 2019 world champion, returns to the WRC scene after a sabbatical, focusing on the development of Toyota’s new challenger under upcoming technical regulations.

Toyota confirms Tanak’s involvement, adding to a testing roster that previously included Juho Hanninen and current Rally1 drivers like Elfyn Evans and Oliver Solberg. The team has already logged over 2000 kilometers testing various surfaces with the 2027 prototype, which sports a radically different design from the current GR Yaris Rally1.

The new regulations introduce a €345,000 cost cap and a double wishbone suspension configuration, transitioning from the current Rally2 specifications. Images of the prototype have sparked speculation about its final form, but Toyota remains tight-lipped, labeling it merely a prototype for now.

Kevin Struyf, head of engineering, emphasizes that the development is ongoing and that more testing will occur soon. As the 2027 season approaches, expect more updates on this evolving project, which could redefine Toyota’s future in rallying.