Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT announced that Jari-Matti Latvala will have the chance to drive the fourth GR Yaris Rally1 car at Rally Finland next month making his WRC return after three years.
The Finn driver has the most starts in WRC history as he has competed in 209 rallies so far and his last outing at the top level was at Rally Sweden in 2020 where he took part as a privateer with the Toyota Yaris WRC. He will make his maiden appearance behind a hybrid car next month and Juho Hanninen will navigate him throughout Rally Finland. He managed to win three times his home event with Miikka Anttila while he was fighting with his former teammate Esapekka Lappi for the victory in 2017, but JML was forced to retire due to an electrical issue. In 2018 and 2019, he was not able to repeat his winning form there as Mads Ostberg and Lappi finished ahead of him at second place overall respectively while Ott Tanak dominated with Toyota these years.
"Delighted and grateful to be at the start of Rally Finland, next month, at the wheel of the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID!", Latvala said.
"I will team up with my friend Juho Hanninen and the plan is to have fun!
"Big thank you to Morizo and Akio for making my dream come true!".
Exciting breaking news from @JariMattiWRC! 👀
— TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) July 3, 2023
Yes, he will contest @RallyFinland driving a fourth #GRYaris Rally1! 😲#ToyotaGAZOORacing #WRC #RallyFinland 🇫🇮 pic.twitter.com/0RTY5iUghC
Photo Credits: Toyota
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