Toyota Boss Hints at Ott Tanak's WRC Return: 'They Don't Want to Be Beaten'

Estonian star Ott Tanak made a major decision last autumn, announcing he would leave Hyundai and step away from the WRC, at least for the time being. The 2019 world champion wanted to spend more time with his family.

However, he hasn't stayed away from a rally car for long. Although he hasn't competed this season, Tanak has been working as a test driver for Toyota. Since last autumn, the Japanese manufacturer has been developing its new WRC27 car, which will replace the current Rally1 machinery in the championship's top class next year.

Despite having no rallies on his schedule, Tanak has spent almost as much time testing and travelling as before. All signs point strongly towards him preparing for a return to the top level of the WRC – behind the wheel of a Toyota.

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So far, Tanak has carried the main responsibility for testing Toyota's WRC27 car.

“Our Rally1 drivers have also been in the car recently, but Ott has done a bit more than them so far because he has a bit more time on his hands,” Toyota technical director Tom Fowler said. “Up until now all of our Rally1 drivers have been focusing very clearly on the goal of becoming world champion this season, and they're still focused on that. But with not so much time left until Monte Carlo 2027, they're all starting to think about next season.”

Fowler's closing remark may also have offered a glimpse of Tanak's plans. “I'm sure our drivers will want to be in the car more. And as we all know, they all want to be in there as much as Ott because they don't want to get beaten by him,” Fowler said.

Fowler was then asked the obvious follow-up question: does that mean Ott Tanak will be racing next year? “I don't think we can say whether he's competing in the team next year or not. This is a customer formula and the cars are for sale, so you don't know who you're going to be racing against,” Fowler replied.

Toyota is the only current WRC manufacturer developing a WRC27 car for next season. Under the regulations, it must also sell the new cars to customer teams. So far, at least one Spanish team has confirmed that it has ordered Toyota's new car for next year.

Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen revealed in June that the team's plans include running as many as six factory entries next season. Toyota currently has five drivers, meaning there could well be room for Tanak.

Another possibility is that Tanak could purchase Toyota's new cars for his own operation. The Estonian owns the RedGrey team.