TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT

[mknight]

Also, he will give interviews and be the media person for the team.

Not hard to do a better job than Makinen in that part.

[doubled1978]

I was very surprised to hear this appointment and at first it did not make sense at all because essentially he has no experience and is very emotional, but as I read the forum I start to see some possible reasons:
- they need a shield between the team and the media, a face and for that JML is good, he loves rally and Toyota
- his loyalty to Toyota which is very important to the Japanese
- he understands the technical part and could work as a mediator between drivers and engineers
- the team is set up and working well already (Tommi kept stressing this point too in that interview) so he doesn't need to organize much, just steady the ship and keep the course

As to why Tommi was replaced it could be any of the reasons or some of them together: Tanak relationship, finances, failed car projects, could be drinking - pure speculation - but he was very red faced a couple times in interviews and mumbling his words more than usual.

In the end JML doesn't need to do much actually just work with the team and if i remember correctly he is a good team player so might not be a bad idea after all.

I really hope this works out for JML, I think everyone likes him, he’s a genuine rally enthusiast and he will undoubtedly give everything to succeed at it. I do have a question about how drivers, particularly Ogier might react if he has to impose team orders that don’t benefit him. That said if he’s given the position by Toyoda, his words carry the backing of the corporation so will be hard to ignore.

As for Makinen, I hope it’s not alcohol behind this as it’s a terrible affliction. I have personal experience of seeing a loved one fall into the addiction and it’s horrific for all connected.

[pantealex]

Jarmo Lehtinen is back in TGR.

He is going to work together with Kaj Lindstöm

Just wait for more info.

https://yle.fi/urheilu/3-11726365 (in finnish)

[EstWRC]

everybody now going back after Tommi and Mia are "gone" (its a half joke if some sensitive Finns didnt get it)

actually about Mia, havent heard antyhing about her role? is she still there?

[pantealex]

everybody now going back after Tommi and Mia are "gone" (its a half joke if some sensitive Finns didnt get it)

actually about Mia, havent heard antyhing about her role? is she still there?

I don´t know, Mia did own 50% of "Estonian Unit" (and Tommi other 50%) but for sure Mia is also out of TGR.

[EstWRC]

they have changed the livery a little which i didnt expect for the final year for these cars https://twitter.com/TGR_WRC/status/1348905535404445697

[dimviii]

Lehtinen back in management role at Toyota

Multi-world rally winner Jarmo Lehtinen has put his pace note book away for the final time to return to Toyota Gazoo Racing as event leader. He talks wrc.com through that decision and what 2021 looks like for him now.

https://www.wrc.com/en/news/season-2...ole-at-toyota/

[EstWRC]

[Andre Oliveira]

[pantealex]

they have changed the livery a little which i didnt expect for the final year for these cars https://twitter.com/TGR_WRC/status/1348905535404445697

Microsoft isn´t main sponsor anymore, so no other choice than change.

Also "GR" brand must stay "fresh"