Toyota confirmed its driver line-up for the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship season when it will again enter three Toyota Yaris WRC models on every event. Ott Tanak will continue to drive the Toyota Yaris WRC next year alongside co-driver Martin Järveoja. They joined the team for the 2018 season. During this year they have already won on four occasions and are challenging for the drivers’ championship.
Jari-Matti Latvala will also stay with the team. The experienced Latvala and co-driver Miikka Anttila have been a key part of the team since its debut in Monte Carlo in January 2017. They scored the first podium of Toyota’s WRC return on the very same event, and the first victory just a few weeks later in Sweden. Latvala has achieved four podiums so far this year, including three in the last four rounds.
Joining Tanak and Latvala in the line-up for 2019 will be Kris Meeke. The Northern Irishman has five rally wins since 2015. Meeke’s co-driver will be confirmed at a later date. Earlier this year he was fired from Citroen for excessive crashes.
Esapekka Lappi and co-driver Janne Ferm will leave the team following the conclusion of the 2018 season. The pair made their debut in the top category of the WRC with Toyota on Rally Portugal last year, and soon scored their maiden victory at Rally Finland. This season they have taken three podium finishes so far, contributing to the team’s current position in the lead of the manufacturers’ championship.
Tommi Mäkinen (Team Principal)
“We are all very excited to have Kris joining us here at Toyota. We know that he is very fast, but he also brings a lot of experience. His technical understanding is at a really high level and I believe he can provide new knowledge and ideas to help us in our aim to keep making the Yaris WRC better.”
“I am also very pleased that Jari-Matti will continue to be part of our team. He has done some brilliant work for us and has recently been regularly on the podium again, which has been very important. Together with Ott, who has proven that he is absolutely one of the fastest drivers right now, I think we have a very strong line-up for next year, with three drivers who are all quick, experienced and can win rallies. I believe we will again have a strong team to fight for both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles.”
“Lastly, I am very sorry to see that Esapekka has decided to leave us for a new challenge, but we all wish him the best of luck for the future.”
Kris Meeke
“It’s a huge pleasure and honour for me to become a Toyota driver. I’d like to thank Akio Toyoda, Tommi Mäkinen and the entire Toyota team for their faith in me. Three years ago, we first discussed the possibility of me joining the team, and I’m so happy that it’s finally happened now.”
“The performance of the Yaris WRC speaks for itself, but the team spirit here is incredible at every level, also with the Japanese culture of honour and respect. I can’t wait to get started. I’ve got no particular objectives other than to enjoy my driving again and help Toyota to win a championship.”
The very first championship that I won was actually when I was aged 16 and co-driving for my brother on our local road rally championship. We clinched that title in a Toyota Corolla, so for very many reasons, it feels incredibly good to be here. I can’t think of a better place to be.”
We’re pleased to confirm our driver line-up for the 2019 season.@OttTanak and @JariMattiWRC will continue to drive the #YarisWRC next year. Joining Tänak and Latvala in the line-up for 2019 will be @krismeeke.
Thank you @EsapekkaLappi and Janne Ferm for the hard job! #WRC pic.twitter.com/xDGpcXnrj0
— TGR_WRC (@TGR_WRC) October 17, 2018
