Latvala provides update on 2023 Toyota lineup

Jari-Matti Latvala World Rally Team's principal, Toyota Gazoo recently revealed the intention to retain the exact same driver lineup for the 2023 World Rally Championship season. Takamoto Katsuta, Sebastien Ogier and Esapekka Lappi.

That would mean retaining world championship leader Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, Esapekka Lappi and outgoing world champion Sébastien Ogier with Takamoto Katsuta driving another car for Toyota Next Generation.

Rovanperä, Evans and Katsuta are contesting full seasons in 2022, while Lappi and Ogier have shared the third works GR Yaris Rally1 as Ogier steps back his rallying commitments.

That’s the seat that generates the most interest for 2023, with Rovanperä and Evans extremely unlikely to be ousted or tempted by a move elsewhere and Ogier’s future desire to continue appearing in the WRC unclear.

The eight-time champion hasn’t competed since Safari Rally Kenya in June, although is expected to do Rally Japan at the very least this November.

Lappi meanwhile has found some real form after a clear run of three consecutive rallies, taking back-to-back podiums for the first time in his WRC career with third on both Rally Finland and Ypres Rally Belgium.