Toyota invests in driver programme
The Toyota WRC team is investing in the future, despite reports that the manufacturer will soon abandon rallying in favour of a Formula One programme
Highly-rated young drivers Henrik Lundgaard, Matthias Kahle and Markko Martin are being signed to satellite teams for next season and possibly beyond, to make sure they stay with the manufacturer.
All three have impressed at WRC level this season, especially the Estonian Martin.
The move comes in the wake of Freddy Loix's defection to Mitsubishi at the start of this season.
The Belgian had been nurtured by Toyota, but was snapped up by its rival when Toyota failed to offer him a full programme, taking lucrative Marlboro backing with him.
'We have a letter of intent with some drivers,' admitted a Toyota spokesman. 'When we do sign anything, we'll be making sure it is tighter than the arrangement with Loix.
'It was too easy for both parties to walk away and we want to make sure that these drivers can be part of a long-term plan.'
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