Five rallies seems like a random number, unless Katsuta is lined up to do nine rallies? A Japanese sponsored 4th car would be nice, seeing as the junior team isn't happening...
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Five rallies seems like a random number, unless Katsuta is lined up to do nine rallies? A Japanese sponsored 4th car would be nice, seeing as the junior team isn't happening...
I disagree. Katsuta's program is supposedly all European events and Japan. For sure it's cheaper for Toyota to deploy five cars on an European event than four cars overseas. Besides, Latvala is probably funding his drives somehow. Five rallies could be what he has budget for, or what resources Toyota can offer.
JML is staying with the TGR team and even hopes to return in 2021 if his pace is still good on his 2020 outings.
Maybe the three new driver's in the Yaris WRC may find it useful to have a driver experienced with the car to be around.
Why would he help them? He would shot in his leg doing that. Evans would develop and Rovanpera too. Why would they hire Latvala again if they would be better than him?
I also really wonder how Ogier's demands fot perfection will work at Toyota. Especially when he is there for just one year.
Martin mentioned that he doesn't see Toyota as "factory" team. I would guess this has to do with trying to earn money (see Tänak's Sardinia steering issue). Real factory team has results as only focus.
Massive gamble for me by toyota, 3 all new drivers, one, undoubtedly still one of the quickest but in his final year and because of that wont think twice about criticising any problems team may have, two, strange one for me elfyn is, done lots of seasons rarely challenging for wins, and three, a newbie who has undoubtedly is fast but will feel pressure from the start.
I would have let meeke/latvala share third car and gone with same tactics as Hyundai