Latvala: Hydrogen power could be a future solution for rallying

Latvala is set to experience a hydrogen-powered race car for the first time this weekend, when he tackles the Fuji 24 Hours behind the wheel of GR Corolla H2 Concept.

The Finn’s second experience of an around-the-clock enduro, after he contested the Nurburgring 24 Hours in 2010, arrives following an invite from Toyota president Akio Toyoda and means Latvala will be absent from this weekend’s WRC round in Sardinia.

As a result, Toyota WRC sporting director Kaj Lindstrom will lead the team at the rough Italian gravel rally.

The WRC has taken its first steps towards a more sustainable future with the introduction of the new-for-2022 Rally1 hybrid cars, powered by 100% renewable fuel.

But the FIA is already urging the WRC to plan for its next set of regulations with several options on the table concerning vehicle propulsion.

Speaking ahead of his Fuji 24 Hours outing, Latvala feels hydrogen power could provide a solution and would prove a better option for rallying than moving to full electric power.

“I was really honoured by the invitation because it it is an interesting thing to drive these hydrogen cars,” Latvala told Autosport.

“I think in rallying, now we are in the hybrid mode, but in 10 years time we will need to find another solution.

“Hybrid is for this era but I think we need something new and I think hydrogen could be an option in the rally world because in rallying we can’t go full electric, it is impossible.

Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

Photo by: Toyota Racing

“And without the sound nobody will go to the forest or to the mountains to watch the cars, we need to have sound in rallying. In circuit racing it is not as important but in rallying we need it.”

Looking ahead to the Fuji 24 Hours, Latvala will share driving duties with Toyoda (entered under his usual pseudonym of 'Morizo'), Super GT regular Hiroaki Ishiura, Masahiro Sasaki, Yasuhiro Ogura and Japanese rally champion Norihiko Katsuta (father of current Toyota WRC driver Takamoto).

It will be Latvala's first taste of circuit racing since his 2010 Nurburgring experience in a Ford Focus RS.

“Twelve years ago when I was driving with Ford I did the Nurburgring 24 Hours race and that was really great experience, I really enjoyed it,” Latvala added.

“I said when I finished my rally career that I would like to come back. I’m not going back to the Nurburgring, but I am going to Fuji so I’m excited about it.

“At least I have been to Fuji, so I know the track because we were there at the end of 2018 when the Supra was launched.

“We managed to test it [the Supra] on the track so at least I have a bit of a feeling as to what is coming up, but for sure it will be different.

“There is going to be a lot of cars on the track and very fast cars.

“I will have to be concentrating [all of the time] as some of the GT cars are really fast and they can be overtaking you at high speed, so I will be following them in my mirrors all the time.”