Makinen heads Toyota WRC return

You read that right, rally legend Tommi Makinen will head Toyota's re-entry into the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017.  

But the Finn won't be behind the wheel; rather, he'll be at the reins for the GAZOO Racing WRC squad.

The news was announced by self-confessed rev-head and one of the industry's most powerful players, Toyota president Akio Toyoda. Toyoda today confirmed the four-time WRC champ – and former Mitsubishi and Subaru rally driver – would take on the role of team principal.

In January 2015 Toyota announced its intention to return to the WRC in 2017 with a Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) Yaris developed at its Cologne HQ in Germany – the site of its expensive and failed tilt at the F1 championship between 2002 and 2009.

Toyoda will be team chairman.

As yet no drivers have been named to pilot the 4WD turbocharged Yaris rally cars but the Toyota GAZOO Racing team hopes to replicate the dominance seen by arch-rival Volkswagen's return to WRC.

"For Toyota to make ever-better cars, we have to get a feel for all the kinds of roads that are out there," said Toyota supremo Akio Toyoda in a press statement.

"Rallying requires us to drive on the very roads our customers use every single day, and I believe it is the perfect training activity, ultimately helping us to strengthen our products," said Toyoda, who has been praised for breathing some life back into the brand with the likes of the Toyota 86 and the upcoming Supra sports car co-developed with BMW.

The company's return to the WRC is also expected to spawn a hardcore road-legal version of the Toyota Yaris and as Toyoda explained, having Makinen on board will be a huge boost for the team.

"Tommi has abundant experience and fresh ideas for vehicle development, both of which will be valuable assets to us. After talking to Tommi, I felt: "I want to work with him; I want him to help us make better cars," and that's how I came to ask for his support with this project," confessed Toyoda, a devout motorsport enthusiast.

"With Tommi behind us, Toyota will forge ahead with our return to WRC and also our efforts to make ever-better cars. Rallying allows both participants and spectators to feel the enjoyment of cars, and it encourages car manufacturers to hone their skills.

"We have been away from WRC for a long time as a manufacturer. I have huge respect for the manufacturers, drivers, team members, and fans that make this wonderful competition what it is, and I'm thrilled to bring Toyota back to WRC," he added.

Currently the WRC has three factory-backed teams, Volkswagen, Citroen and Hyundai, with Ford providing partial assistance.