Toyota’s return in the WRC is gaining momentum as the team was caught testing Yaris WRC car in Italy. This marks the return of the Japanese firm in World Rallying after 14 years.
The white Yaris, driven by Stephane Sarrazin and Sebastian Lindholm, was tested on four different gravel roads in Tuscany, Italy. However, the test was done by Motorsport Italia on behalf of Toyota Motorsport. Previously, Motorspots Italia fielded the short-lived Mini’s WRC efforts.
Overall, the test impressed everyone on board, and sources confirmed that, “It kept on running, there didn’t seem to be any long periods of downtime.” Looks like Japanese reliability could be the key for Toyota to dethrone the unstoppable Volkswagen Polo-R in the WRC.
Toyota was one of the most successful WRC manufacturers of the 1990s, achieving four drivers’ and three constructors’ titles before switching its focus to F1 in 1999. However, it will be more realistic for the Japanese team to join the WRC in 2017 as it is reported that regulations change will come into effect in 2017.
[Source: Autosport]
