Toyota to return to WRC in 2017

AkioToyoda - Cropped

The 2017 World Rally Championship will include a new team after Toyota announced their intention to return to the sport.

Toyota last competed in WRC in 1999, and won four drivers' and three manufacturers' titles in the 1990s.

Eric Camilli has been selected as the first member of Toyota's junior driver development scheme and will carry out the test programme alongside Stephane Sarrazi and Sebastian Lindholm.

Toyota Motor Corporation president Akio Toyoda visited last season's Rally Finland, and was impressed with the reaction of the supporters.

"During my time there many rally fans asked me when Toyota would come back to WRC," he said.

"People talked about Toyota's history in WRC, and I was filled with surprise and gratitude that so many people remembered.

"Last time we competed was in 1999. That makes me think we are not announcing a return, but perhaps a start. We must begin again from scratch and carefully prepare both team and cars."

"Toyota has a long and distinguished history in motorsport, particularly in world rallying, and we're delighted to welcome one of the automobile industry's giants back to WRC," added WRC promoter's managing director Oliver Cielsa.

Author(s)