July 07, 2015

Tommi Makinen leads Toyota Gazoo Racing's WRC Return in 2017

Toyota Gazoo Racing has determined its team structure leading up to Toyota's return to the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda will serve as Team Chairman while Tommi Makinen, a celebrated WRC veteran, will be offering his expertise
as Team Principal. With comprehensive oversight from Mäkinen, who holds four drivers' titles over his 18-year WRC career, the team will strengthen its vehicle development capabilities and work toward 2017.

"Whenever I'm behind the wheel, I always think - "it is the road that makes the car." For Toyota to make ever-better cars, we have to get a feel for all the kinds of roads that are out there. Rallying requires us to drive on the very roads our customers use every single day, and I believe it is the perfect training activity, ultimately helping us to strengthen our products. As the pinnacle of rallying, WRC is the best way to experience roads all over the world - that's why Toyota is returning to the championship. And I am very happy and excited to have Tommi Makinen heading up our WRC team," said Akio Toyoda.

"I first met Tommi in 2013. At that time he was my instructor, helping me improve my driving technique. In the end, he taught me a lot more; he showed me the appeal of rallying and the relationship between vehicle development and rallying."


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