Pajari promoted as Toyota reveals 2025 WRC roster

The Japanese powerhouse will aim to defend its manufacturers’ crown while reclaiming the drivers’ and co-drivers’ title by fielding four cars for Sami Pajari, Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta. In addition, eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier will drive a GR Yaris Rally1 on a selected programme of events.

The team’s management structure is also evolving, with four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen stepping into a new role as deputy to team principal Jari-Matti Latvala.

WRC2 champ Pajari earns full-season promotion
Sami Pajari, just 22 years old, will step up to a full-time Rally1 programme following his dominant WRC2 championship-winning season, sealed at FORUM8 Rally Japan last week.

The Finn contested three rounds in a GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID this year, most notably securing a stage win and finishing fourth at Secto Rally Finland. After a successful three-year partnership, Pajari will part ways with co-driver Enni Mälkönen, though her replacement has yet to be announced.

“This is a dream come true for me and I’m really grateful to Toyota GAZOO Racing and the team for giving me this amazing opportunity,” he elated. “There have also been many important people who have been helping me and making this possible. It has been an incredible year for us in the GR Yaris Rally2 and in our first events in the Rally1 car, and although we have now reached the place we were aiming for, I also know that this is where the hard work really starts to learn and to push for good results in the future.”

Rovanperä ready to chase third world crown
Twenty-four-year-old Kalle Rovanperä returns to a full-time programme after a streamlined 2024 season, during which he delivered an impressive four victories from seven starts. The Finn, who won back-to-back drivers’ titles in 2022 and 2023, will again team up with long-time co-driver Jonne Halttunen.

“I’m really excited that I will be driving in the full WRC season again next year,” he said. “This year has been quite different for me, driving a few different cars and still winning some rallies at the same time. It’s been a nice year, but it’s also given me a lot of motivation to return for the full season, to push together with Jonne for the drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles and do our best with the team to win the manufacturers’ championship too.”

Evans and Katsuta bring speed and reliability
Elfyn Evans continues his tenure with Toyota, heading into his sixth consecutive season with the team alongside co-driver Scott Martin. The Welshman capped off 2024 with victory at the final round, securing second place in the drivers’ standings for a fourth time.
“Since 2020 we’ve had some great seasons together, and although 2024 maybe wasn’t as successful as we would have liked, I know that there’s still a lot of potential in the team and I feel I have plenty more to give as well,” he said.

Takamoto Katsuta will tackle another year after playing a pivotal role in Toyota’s 2024 manufacturers’ championship success. His standout performances, including a Super Sunday maximum score at the Central European Rally, proved critical in securing the title.

Targeting more podiums in 2025, Katsuta said: “I feel I have shown my speed on most of the rallies, so the confidence is growing, and I just need to find the right rhythm through every rally: this is my main target next year. If everything goes well, I’m sure I can fight for more podiums.”

Ogier, who will drive a limited schedule again in 2025, brings unparalleled experience and eight world titles to the team. He enthused: “Itʼs really exciting to remain with Toyota GAZOO Racing for 2025. Once again, my main goal is to give my support to the team in the manufacturers’ championship in a partial programme, and hopefully we can manage to reclaim all three titles.”