Lappi in “strongest position” as Toyota 2022 WRC driver decision looms
Toyota World Rally Championship boss Jari-Matti Latvala expects to make a decision regarding the 2022 driver line-up for the squad's third entry by the end of October.
The Japanese marque is yet to officially confirm any drivers for 2022 although it is widely expected Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanpera will be retained, while Takamoto Katsuta appears likely to remain in the squad’s fourth entry.
However, the team's third Yaris has triggered plenty of speculation with seven-time world champion Sebastien Ogier set for only a partial campaign next season, freeing up a part-time seat at the factory Toyota squad.
Former Toyota, Citroen and M-Sport driver Esapekka Lappi has emerged as the favourite to land the seat alongside Ogier, who may contest as many as five rallies next year, according to Latvala.
Lappi has a chance to impress Toyota courtesy of a one-off drive at next month’s Rally Finland in a privateer Yaris run by the Japanese the marque next month.
Latvala is hopeful a decision will be reached regarding the team's driver line-up shortly after the event.
“We have to do it I would say, we need to do it, probably in October so in that month we have to do the decision," said Latvala when asked by Autosport about the timeframe of the decision for the third car.
When asked about Ogier’s plans for 2022 Latvala added: “Nothing has been decided.
"He wants to drive in Monte Carlo. this is clear, he has said he is not so eager to be in Sweden.
“He has mentioned that four to five rallies is something he is thinking [about], but these are the discussions we have had so far, but nothing has been decided yet.”
Esapekka Lappi, Janne Ferm, Movisport Volkswagen Polo GTi
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
Latvala admits Lappi is in the strongest position for the drive but confirmed the Finn is not the only candidate.
“Of course we have been evaluating other drivers and also we still have a chance to look at Esapekka,” said Latvala.
“Esapekka is in the strongest position for us to have in the team next year, but there is still many drivers not having seat that you could have for next year so they’re still drivers on the market.
“I really hope Esapekka will do a good event and of course that would help our decision.”
Switching to the team’s other out of contract drivers in Evans and Rovanpera, the pair have both recently tested Toyota’s 2022 Yaris which further cements their expected places in the line-up for next year.
Latvala remained tight-lipped on the duo’s contract renewals.
“Unfortunately I can’t confirm that at this point but of course it is looking good, very good,” he said.
Related video
Sordo teases 2022 plans with WRC future yet to be resolved
Gravel Notes Podcast: Petter Solberg’s Acropolis Rally review
Armstrong joins Ganassi for IndyCar road and street courses
Formula 2 race winner Marcus Armstrong has signed a deal to drive a fourth Chip Ganassi Racing entry on 2023’s road and street courses.
Watch Qualifying Now – Le Mans Virtual Series, 500 Miles of Sebring
Watch qualifying for the fourth round of the 2022 Le Mans Virtual Series which will take place at Sebring
Mercedes' F1 strategy chief Vowles eyes next racing challenge
After Formula 1's gruelling 2022 schedule, you could forgive hard-working team personnel for wanting to switch off completely and not see a motor racing paddock for a while.
Ferrari’s Binotto F1 split looks ‘strange’, says Brundle
Ferrari’s parting of ways with team boss Mattia Binotto appears ‘strange’ if no top-level figure has been lined up to replace him, reckons Sky Formula 1 pundit Martin Brundle.
The key steps on Rovanpera's romp to a history-making WRC title
With only cameo roles played by legendary Sebastiens Ogier and Loeb, Kalle Rovanpera ushered in the new hybrid era for the World Rally Championship by becoming its youngest champion. Here's how Toyota's Flying Finn crushed the competition, led by Hyundai's departing star Ott Tanak
How trailblazer Kalle Rovanpera has ripped up the WRC record book
At the tender age of 22, Kalle Rovanpera is redefining what’s possible to achieve in rallying and inspiring a new legion of fans as a result. The newly-crowned World Rally Championship title-winner and his peers reflect on his ability and the start of his success in the top tier
How Hyundai and Neuville gatecrashed Toyota's homecoming party
Thierry Neuville signed off the 2022 World Rally Championship season with his second win of the season in Japan after Toyota rival Elfyn Evans suffered a late puncture. With Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera also delayed by punctures and incidents, it opened the door for Neuville and Ott Tanak to record Hyundai's second 1-2 of the season in Toyota's own backyard
The message a WRC stalwart sent which its new king couldn’t answer
Sebastien Ogier might be the outgoing World Rally champion, but it didn’t stop him reminding everyone of the skills that made him an eight-time world champion. As victory at Rally Spain led Toyota’s charge to a titles clean sweep, it did pose a question to newly-crowned champion Kalle Rovanpera which he could not answer
Autosport gets to grips as a WRC co-driver
The majority of headlines may focus on the exploits of drivers in the World Rally Championship, but the challenges facing their co-drivers are no less demanding. Autosport got in the passenger seat with Toyota Gazoo Racing to find out just what it takes to succeed
How Rally New Zealand encapsulated record-breaking Rovanpera’s WRC title charge
Kalle Rovanpera’s coronation as the new World Rally Championship king had been a long time coming, only to be postponed by hiccups in Belgium and Greece. But at Rally New Zealand the “Full Send” Finn demonstrated exactly how he's been able to rewrite the rallying record book as he stormed to victory to become the youngest ever world champion
How a Toyota lifeline reignited Lappi's WRC career
Motorsport can be brutal at times. One moment a driver can be the next big thing, but it can spiral in the other direction so quickly. Thankfully, sometimes drivers receive second chances. And Esapekka Lappi has taken his World Rally Championship lifeline in both hands
How team orders could make Hyundai's historic Acropolis Rally a Greek tragedy
Thierry Neuville led a maiden Hyundai 1-2-3 in the World Rally Championship, as the previously soft i20 N became a battle-hardened Greek warrior at the Acropolis Rally. But with team orders in play between the winner and Hyundai’s title protagonist Ott Tanak, could the result come back to haunt the team?