Toyota GAZOO Racing Unveils Dynamic Line-Up for 2024 World Championships: A Look into TGR's Strategy and Ambitions
Discover Toyota GAZOO Racing's exciting plans for the 2024 season. With a strong team in both the WRC and WEC, including the addition of Nyck de Vries, TGR is set to dominate. Learn about their strategies, driver line-up, and commitment to innovative motorsports in this insightful overview.
Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) is gearing up for a thrilling 2024 World Championship season, boasting a formidable line-up and ambitious goals. In the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), TGR is banking on the proven synergy of its existing drivers and co-drivers to clinch the coveted triple: Manufacturers’, Drivers’, and Co-drivers’ titles. Meanwhile, in the FIA World Endurance Championship's Hypercar category, Nyck de Vries, a new face, will take the wheel of car #7. Under Kamui Kobayashi's leadership, TGR is eyeing an impressive sixth consecutive double victory in both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ categories.
The 2023 season was a remarkable one for TGR. In the WRC, they secured the Manufacturers’, Drivers’, and Co-drivers’ Championships for a third consecutive year, with Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen leading the charge. The FIA World Endurance Championship saw them continue their dominance, winning both the Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ Championships for the fifth year running, thanks to the stellar performance of Sébastien Buemi, Brendon Hartley, and Ryo Hirakawa.
Looking ahead to 2024, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is thrilled to confirm a star-studded roster. Kalle Rovanperä, the youngest ever back-to-back WRC drivers’ title winner, has signed a new multi-year contract. His 2024 campaign will include selected rallies, allowing him to explore other motorsports disciplines like drifting. Sébastien Ogier, an eight-time world champion, will continue his journey with TGR, participating in select events with Vincent Landais.
Elfyn Evans remains a key player, consistently contending for championships and aiming for his first title in 2024 with co-driver Scott Martin. Takamoto Katsuta, a product of the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program, is also set to drive the entire season, building on his impressive performance in 2023.
TGR's commitment to motorsports goes beyond the track. The TGR WRC Challenge Program, initiated in 2015, continues to nurture young talents like Hikaru Kogure and Yuki Yamamoto, preparing them for global competitions. These efforts align with TGR's vision of creating better motorsports-bred cars and enhancing the sustainability and appeal of motorsports worldwide.
In the WEC Hypercar category, TGR will compete with the technologically advanced GR010 HYBRID. Nyck de Vries, a former test and reserve driver, rejoins the team, bringing his enhanced skills to the forefront. José María López, a veteran of the Hypercar class, will transition to the WEC LMGT3 class with Team Akkodis ASP, contributing his expertise in car development and supporting emerging drivers.
With such a robust structure and a blend of experienced and fresh talent, Toyota GAZOO Racing is poised to make 2024 a year of remarkable achievements and exhilarating races.
