No, Tommi didn’t say its garbage. TMG started to develop the car long time before the 2017 regulations were defined. Of course the manufacturers know more before the regulations are published but I don’t think there was much to know two years ago. I’m not an expert but even the engine specification changes that much that there’s a lot of testing ahead.

At some phase Tommi considered also to have some kind of operation also in central Europe. That’s a thing I would do. The development can be anywhere but logistically it would be easier to have the operative activities somewhere in central Europe.

Keeping the headquarters in Jyväskylä has the advantage for gravel testing. By the WRC sporting regulations (http://www.fia.com/regulations/regul...lltext=&page=1 , page 51) in the country where the WRC team is registered they can test more.

66. TESTING
66.1 PERMITTED TESTING SITES
For Manufacturers or WRC Teams registered in the Championship, testing (as defined in Art. 2.20) is permitted:
66.1.1 On a permanent testing site proposed by the Manufacturer or WRC Team before its first rally of the year and notified to the FIA. The permanent testing site must be located in the country where the Manufacturer or WRC Team rally cars are registered.
66.1.2 During a calendar year, a P1 driver may use only one permanent testing site.
66.1.3 In Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and UK.

66.3.2 In the case of a Manufacturer, a maximum of 42 days in any calendar year. This clause does not apply to testing as stated in Art. 66.1.1.

Some kind of translation.

Toyota suddenly withdraw the budget from the TMG wrc project when Toyota realized there was two separate projects going on.

The media representative Tatsuo Horikawa from Toyota still deny this has happened.

The rumours that TMG wouldn’t still be involved is wrong. TMG co-operate with Tommi mainly with the engine development as they have done until now. Our aim is to build a strong Toyota Gazoo Racing lead by Tommi, Horikawa tells YLE Urheilu (YLE sport).

Tommi has been unsatisfied with the engine co-operation with TMG and explored possibilities to co-operate with the French engine tuner Pipo Moteurs but Pipo Moteurs develop Hyundai’s wrc engine with exclusive rights.

I’ve heard the rumour about Tommi asking for engine development from Pipo Moteurs but in WRC they develop engines only for us, says Nandan.