Ott Tänak is moving to Toyota for the 2018 WRC season

Toyota Gazoo Racing confirms a big transfer today for the next season of the World Rally Championship. Estonian Ott Tanak will join Japanese team in a cockpit of the third Toyota Yaris WRC for the full 2018 WRC season, together with his navigator Martin Jarveoja.

For other two cars, Toyota retained two Finnish crews: Jari-Matti Latvala/Miikka Anttila and Esapekka Lappi/Janne Ferm. It means that Juho Hanninen will have to find a new team after his rookie season in the world’s premium competition.

48-year-old Kaj Lindstrom is a new Sporting Director for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC team

Kaj Lindstrom, who is currently a co-driver for Juho Hanninen, will take a role of the sporting director for the team, starting from Rally Australia, the last rally of the 2017 WRC season.

“We’re delighted to have secured the services of Ott, having had our eyes on him for a while. He represents the perfect blend of youth and experience, together with the right sort of mental attitude that means he will fit into our team very well. Like the Yaris WRC, Ott has exceeded all expectations this year, so I’m sure it will be a strong partnership with both speed and consistency on all surfaces,” said Tommi Makinen, Team Principal.

Tänak is currently second in the championship standings with M-Sport World Rally Team, 37 points behind his teammate Sebastien Ogier and just one points ahead Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville. Two more events are on a calendar – Wales Rally (October 27-29) and Rally Australia (November 17-19).

Photos: wrc.com,