WRC News: Latvala to Make One-Off Return to WRC 2023 in Home Rally Finland
In an exciting development for WRC fans, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT team principal Jari-Matti Latvala is set to put his leadership duties on hold to participate in his home round of Rally Finland, scheduled to take place from 3-6 August. Latvala will get behind the wheel of a fourth Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car, marking his first-ever outing in a Rally1 machine.
The Finnish rally legend last competed in the FIA World Rally Championship in 2020 at the Rally Sweden round, where he was forced to withdraw due to a technical issue on stage five. This one-off appearance will provide Latvala with an opportunity to experience the latest Rally1 car in competition, a desire he has expressed for some time.
Latvala will be joined by Juho Hänninen, a former works driver for Toyota, as his co-driver in Finland. Hänninen, who has since focused on test driving for the team, has previously partnered with Latvala in historic rallies, driving Latvala’s private Toyota Celicas.
“This exciting news is sure to thrill WRC enthusiasts, and we can’t wait to see Latvala back in action on the Rally Finland stages.”
However, Latvala will not be juggling his team principal role and driving duties in Finland. Akio Toyoda, the chairman of the Toyota Motor Corporation, will stand in for him as team principal during the event.
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