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Toyota Selects Three Drivers for 2027 WRC2 Program
Toyota has selected Jaspar Vaher, Takumi Matsushita, and Yuki Yamamoto to contest the 2027 World Rally Championship feeder category in GR Yaris Rally2 machinery through the Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program. The Japanese manufacturer's young driver detection and development initiative prepares future talent while opening potential pathways into premier-tier machinery, with team boss Jari-Matti Latvala confirming that select lower-tier competitors could occasionally be entrusted with a factory Rally1 seat during the season.
Rally1 Lineup and Third Car Availability
The selection follows an announcement earlier in the week in which Toyota unveiled its 2027 WRC program, confirming two car models complying with WRC27 technical regulations and two separate teams to balance its competitive strength. Full-time Gazoo Racing campaigns were assigned to Ott Tänak alongside Martin Järveoja and Takamoto Katsuta with Aaron Johnston. Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen will participate in a maximum of seven events. Latvala confirmed Toyota plans to field three GR Yaris Rally1 entries per event, leaving the third car available when Rovanperä and Halttunen are absent. With Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais slated for a partial slate of up to three events, potentially five events remain open for other crews.
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Yamamoto and Matsushita Secure WRC2 Seats
Yamamoto returns to the development framework for a third campaign in the feeder category. The 29-year-old Japanese driver claimed a WRC2 podium finish on home soil in Japan this year, earning valuable credit with management despite an inconsistent season that trailed initial expectations. Compatriot Matsushita will step up to a more complete WRC2 schedule next year after appearing in Estonia and Finland alongside European Rally Championship outings. Matsushita finished tenth in Estonia and ninth in Finland in WRC2, having impressed earlier in the season by winning the Rali Terras d'Aboboreira in Portugal, an event frequently utilized as a full-scale test before world championship rounds.
Vaher Added to Challenge Program
Nineteen-year-old Estonian driver Vaher completes the selected trio following eye-catching performances in both ERC and WRC2 competition. In the ERC, Vaher led the Royal Rally of Scandinavia for an extended period before going off on Sunday. His WRC2 season featured an off on home soil in Estonia before he secured fourth in WRC2 in Finland, where experienced co-driver Janni Hussi joined him in the right-hand seat for the second half of the year. Both Vaher and Matsushita are scheduled to contest the Rallye du Dévoluy in December aboard the GR Yaris Rally2.
Pathway to Future Rally1 Outings
In addition to their WRC2 commitments, Vaher and his Challenge Program peers could be called upon to contest one or more WRC rounds in the GR Yaris Rally1 next season. However, Latvala clarified that graduation to the premier car is not limited to academy participants. The team principal explained that drivers need not belong to the detection scheme, provided they campaign a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in WRC2 during the season, ensuring any driver performing in the customer machinery can contend for open Rally1 outings.
