We all knew the world was very lucky to get the Toyota GR Yaris, a homologation special when it seemed that the era had passed. It was especially fortunate given that the rally car the GR homologated never got to compete, the various complications of the past year and a bit meaning the updated car for the 2020 and '21 covered no stage miles in anger, despite being completed. Which means the next big step for rallying are the hybrids...
Cars that comply with the new Rally1 regulations are free to compete in this year's WRC but aren't eligible for points. In 2022, only cars homologated under Rally 1 rules will be allowed to go championship glory. Understandably given recent form - it's had drivers' champions in the past two seasons and three victories already in 2021 - Toyota is keen to continue in the hybrid era as it is ending this one, with testing well under way.
This video gives a hint at what's coming, as development drives take place in Portugal. Clearly hybridisation had done nothing to dim the drama, the latest Yaris as fast and as wild to look at as any other recent rally car. A key message when the Rally1 rules were ratified was to keep cars that look and sound assertive; even under partial wraps, the Yaris seems to tick those boxes. And even as a simpler rally car that before - the active centre diffs are going, as are the more expensive suspension bits - it certainly looks plenty quick enough.
The idea with Rally1 changes is to make the WRC more accessible for new manufacturers, as well as improve the sport's environmental credentials. Which is all well and good, but there's still a team that needs to win - and Toyota is very keen for next year to be one for the Yaris. Like last year, and the year before that. Moreover, if the hybrid era can spawn another homologation special, then who's to grumble with that?
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