Once again, Nasser Al-Attiyah is close to re-linking with the World Rally. On this occasion, the Qatari could start a partial program of five dates from the Rally of Argentina (April 26 to 29). The double winner of the Dakar will use a fourth Toyota Yaris WRC that the Japanese brand plans to have ready for the Cordoba date. However, the head of the team, Tommi Makinen, clarified that the participation of the 2015 WRC2 champion will be private, without factory backing.
Al-Attiyah is no stranger to the Japanese brand, as he has driven a Hilux Toyota Gazoo South Africa in the last two editions of the Dakar and his best result was the second place specified last month. Regardless of their participation at the rally raid level, the 47-year-old Qatari will be reunited with the WRC after a long absence. His most recent participation was in 2015, when he was WRC2 champion. In turn, his last test in the largest class was in Catalonia 2013, with a Ford M-Sport team.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC director Tommi Makinen told the Motorsport News site that his team was ready to deliver an additional fourth car in time for the Córdoba date. Regarding this project, the Finn declared: "We are in talks with Nasser, although it is not yet decided. But we have prepared ourselves to be ready for the Rally of Argentina. "
However, Makinen quickly clarified that Al-Attiyah will not compete with Toyota's colors and will not be registered under the name of the Japanese brand. This was clarified to take distance from the previous experiences of the Qatari with Citroën in 2012 and M-Sport in 2013, opportunities in which he used official cars of both teams.
"Nasser is a private pilot," said Makinen. "The fourth car will not be official, as we will only continue with three vehicles. But if we are going to prepare and direct your vehicle. We will try to get your car to be located next to ours in the service park so that it can help us with the logistics and the necessary support ".
Regarding the program that Al-Attiyah will have, Makinen declared: "We aim for five or six dates. We would start with Argentina and then with Portugal, Sardinia, Germany and Spain. It would be good to have Nasser with us from the commercial point of view and also for his experience "
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