The World Rally Championship is heading toward one of its most dramatic transformations in years, and Toyota has made it clear that its ambitions for 2027 go far beyond simply defending its dominance. With the return of the legendary Toyota GR Celica Rally1, an expanded six-driver factory operation, and the highly anticipated comebacks of Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak, the balance of power could change dramatically.

At the centre of this developing story stands Elfyn Evans, the newly crowned 2026 World Rally Champion, who will lead Toyota Racing into an entirely new technical era. After years of chasing the ultimate prize and finishing runner-up on five previous occasions, the Welshman has finally reached the top of the championship. However, his greatest challenge may be waiting just around the corner.

The arrival of the GR Celica Rally1 represents a major turning point for Toyota, while the return of two former world champions creates an entirely different competitive environment. Evans will have to adapt to new machinery, new regulations and an increasingly competitive group of drivers, all while carrying the expectations that come with being the reigning world champion.

And with Toyota preparing to operate two separate factory teams using different cars, one question is already attracting attention: Could the new era become the biggest test of Evans’ championship reign?

TOYOTA’S GR CELICA RALLY1: A NEW ERA THAT COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

Toyota has officially confirmed a major restructuring of its World Rally Championship programme for 2027, introducing two distinct factory teams and two different Rally1 models under the same organisation.

The headline attraction is undoubtedly the return of the Celica name, one of the most recognisable identities in Toyota’s rallying history.

The new GR Celica Rally1 will compete under the Toyota Racing banner, with Evans leading a three-driver line-up alongside Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari. Meanwhile, the second factory operation, GAZOO Racing TOYOTA, will campaign the new GR Yaris Rally1.

This is not simply a change in branding or appearance. Toyota is preparing to enter a completely different competitive environment under the FIA’s new WRC27 technical regulations.

The two cars are being developed in parallel at Toyota’s Finnish base in Jyväskylä. Both will follow the same technical framework, with the manufacturer aiming to provide competitive machinery across its expanded operation.

For Evans, the timing could hardly be more significant.

He enters 2027 as the reigning world champion, but the transition to a new generation of rally cars means that previous success will not automatically guarantee another championship.

The challenge will involve understanding the characteristics of the new GR Celica Rally1, developing confidence in unfamiliar machinery and working closely with Toyota’s engineers to extract every possible advantage.

Toyota has already completed six days of rally simulation testing with its 2027 prototype in central Finland. Homologation of the new cars is scheduled for completion before the end of 2026, with further technical details and liveries expected before the new season.

Although the manufacturer has demonstrated its commitment to the project, the real competitive picture will only become clear when the cars face their rivals on actual championship stages.

For a driver like Evans, consistency has always been one of his greatest strengths. However, the introduction of new machinery creates a situation in which every driver must prove themselves again.

The GR Celica could become the car that defines the next chapter of his career. Equally, it could introduce complications that Toyota’s reigning champion cannot afford to underestimate.

ELFYN EVANS FACES HIS BIGGEST TEST AFTER FINALLY REACHING THE SUMMIT

For years, Elfyn Evans was one of the most consistent championship contenders in the WRC without managing to secure the ultimate reward.

Five previous runner-up finishes had created a difficult narrative around the Welshman. He repeatedly demonstrated the speed, intelligence and reliability required to fight for the championship, yet the title continued to escape him.

That changed in 2026.

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin finally secured their first drivers’ and co-drivers’ world championships after a dramatic season-ending battle. The final championship result saw Evans finish five points ahead of Oliver Solberg, with Sami Pajari just one further point behind.

It was a remarkably close conclusion to a season in which Toyota’s own drivers pushed one another to the limit.

Now, however, the challenge changes completely.

Instead of entering another season as the driver attempting to end a long championship drought, Evans will arrive as the man everyone wants to defeat.

That shift in circumstances could prove just as important as the technical changes surrounding the new car.

The reigning champion will be expected to lead Toyota Racing, deliver results and establish the GR Celica Rally1 as a winning machine. At the same time, his younger team-mates will be looking to demonstrate that they are capable of fighting for victories and potentially challenging for the championship themselves.

Oliver Solberg has already shown that he can compete at the highest level, while Sami Pajari has established himself as another serious contender following an impressive 2026 campaign.

This creates an interesting internal dynamic.

Evans has the experience of years competing at the highest level, but Solberg and Pajari represent the next generation of Toyota’s championship ambitions.

The question is whether Evans can maintain his position at the front while adapting to a new car and defending a title that took him so many years to achieve.

Importantly, Toyota has not suggested that Evans is facing an internal threat or that his position is under pressure. The potential difficulty comes from the competitive circumstances surrounding the new season, not from any confirmed disagreement within the team.

Nevertheless, the pressure on the champion will be enormous.

A successful transition could strengthen his reputation as one of the most complete drivers of his generation. A difficult start, on the other hand, could immediately open the door for his rivals.

KALLE ROVANPERÄ’S RETURN COULD REWRITE THE 2027 CHAMPIONSHIP

If Evans represents the established champion, Kalle Rovanperä represents one of the biggest unknowns heading into 2027.

The Finnish superstar is returning to the World Rally Championship after spending the 2026 campaign away from the championship’s full-time competition.

Rovanperä previously established himself as one of the most extraordinary talents in modern rallying, becoming the youngest-ever WRC drivers’ champion in 2022 before successfully defending his crown in 2023.

His decision to step away from full-time rallying after 2025 surprised many supporters, particularly as he explored opportunities in circuit racing.

However, his planned move into single-seater competition did not develop as originally intended, with health-related difficulties forcing changes to his programme.

Now, Toyota has confirmed his return as part of its expanded 2027 factory operation.

Unlike Evans, Solberg and Pajari, Rovanperä will compete in the GR Yaris Rally1 under the GAZOO Racing TOYOTA banner. His programme is also expected to be a partial-season campaign rather than a full championship assault.

That distinction is important.

Even without contesting every round, Rovanperä’s presence could significantly influence the championship. His experience, natural speed and familiarity with Toyota machinery make him a driver that nobody can afford to overlook.

His return also introduces an intriguing question about Toyota’s internal competition.

The manufacturer will effectively have two groups of highly competitive drivers operating under the same organisational structure. Evans will lead the Celica operation, while Rovanperä will return with the Yaris squad.

Although both teams will compete as equal challengers for victory, their performances will inevitably invite comparisons.

Could Rovanperä immediately rediscover the form that made him a two-time world champion?

Or will Evans’ experience with the new technical generation give the Welshman an important advantage?

These are questions that will only be answered once the 2027 season begins, but the potential for an extraordinary rivalry is already there.

OTT TÄNAK’S COMEBACK ADDS ANOTHER MAJOR THREAT

Just when Toyota’s expanded line-up appeared impressive enough, the manufacturer confirmed another major development: Ott Tänak is returning to the WRC with the team that helped him become world champion in 2019.

The Estonian’s return is arguably one of the most significant developments of the entire 2027 driver market.

Tänak previously enjoyed tremendous success with Toyota, winning the drivers’ championship in 2019 and establishing himself as one of the toughest competitors in the championship.

His combination of aggression, technical understanding and determination made him a formidable opponent throughout his career.

His reunion with Toyota also brings back his long-time co-driver Martin Järveoja, restoring a partnership that previously delivered the ultimate championship success.

For Evans, this represents another major development.

Tänak will compete in the GR Yaris Rally1 alongside Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta, creating a formidable group of drivers within Toyota’s second factory operation.

Unlike a typical team expansion involving inexperienced prospects, Toyota is bringing back established championship winners.

That decision sends a clear message about the manufacturer’s ambitions.

Toyota does not simply want to remain competitive under the new regulations. It wants to maximise its chances of winning by putting an exceptional amount of experience and talent into its factory programme.

Tänak’s technical experience could also become particularly valuable during the early stages of the new era.

The transition to WRC27 machinery will require extensive development work, and feedback from drivers with different driving styles could help Toyota identify strengths and weaknesses more quickly.

However, the biggest attraction for supporters will be the possibility of seeing Tänak, Rovanperä and Evans competing against one another again.

Three world champions. Two different Toyota rally cars. One manufacturer determined to remain at the top.

That is a combination capable of creating some extraordinary moments in 2027.

TWO TOYOTA TEAMS, SIX DRIVERS AND A POTENTIAL INTERNAL BATTLE

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Toyota’s announcement is not simply the return of the Celica or the arrival of two former champions.

It is the decision to operate two distinct factory teams simultaneously.

Toyota Racing will field the GR Celica Rally1 with Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg and Sami Pajari.

GAZOO Racing TOYOTA will campaign the GR Yaris Rally1 with Ott Tänak, Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta.

Both operations will remain under the wider TGR-WRT organisation in Jyväskylä, Finland, but they will compete as equal challengers for victory.

This creates an unusual situation in which Toyota’s greatest competitive advantage could also become one of its biggest management challenges.

The manufacturer will have six factory drivers with different strengths, experiences and ambitions.

Evans brings championship-winning consistency and extensive experience. Solberg offers tremendous speed and momentum after his breakthrough season. Pajari has demonstrated that he can consistently challenge at the front.

On the other side, Tänak brings a world championship pedigree, Rovanperä possesses extraordinary natural talent, and Katsuta has continued to develop into a proven rally winner.

The potential competition between these drivers could be fascinating.

Toyota will need to ensure that both teams receive the technical support required to compete at the highest level while maintaining a clear development strategy.

The manufacturer has stated that the two teams will have equal opportunities to fight for victory. That approach could produce a stronger overall operation, but it will also create additional pressure on every driver to deliver.

For Evans, the presence of three other championship-calibre competitors within Toyota’s wider programme means that success cannot be taken for granted.

The question is no longer simply whether Toyota can build a winning car.

It is whether Evans can remain the leading figure in a manufacturer operation packed with proven winners.

THE WRC27 REGULATIONS COULD CHANGE THE BALANCE OF POWER

Toyota’s announcement comes at a crucial moment for the World Rally Championship.

The 2027 season will introduce a new technical framework designed to make the championship’s top category more accessible and encourage greater competition.

The regulations represent a major change in the direction of the sport, giving manufacturers and teams a new opportunity to develop competitive machinery within a revised cost and technical structure.

For Toyota, the transition creates both opportunities and uncertainties.

The manufacturer has enjoyed enormous success under the previous generation of Rally1 regulations, but that history will not automatically translate into dominance under the new framework.

Every technical change introduces new questions.

How will the cars behave on different surfaces? Which manufacturers will adapt fastest? Will the new technical specifications create closer competition? And how much will driver feedback influence the development process during the opening events?

These questions will be central to the 2027 season.

Toyota has already invested considerable resources into its prototype programme, with testing taking place in Finland and development continuing on both the Celica and Yaris models.

The decision to build two different cars under the same regulations is particularly interesting because it gives Toyota an opportunity to evaluate two distinct body styles within one competitive structure.

Although the vehicles will share the same technical framework and are being developed in parallel, their performance characteristics and practical behaviour will still need to be assessed in competition.

This makes the early rallies particularly important.

A strong start could give Evans and his team valuable confidence. However, any unexpected difficulties could create opportunities for Toyota’s rivals to challenge for victories.

For the reigning champion, the new regulations represent a fresh beginning rather than a continuation of the previous season.

WHY THE CELICA NAME CARRIES SO MUCH PRESSURE

The return of the Celica is about more than nostalgia.

For Toyota supporters, the name represents one of the manufacturer’s most successful periods in international rallying.

During the 1990s, the Celica became a major force in the WRC, helping Toyota secure drivers’ championship success with legendary competitors including Carlos Sainz, Juha Kankkunen and Didier Auriol.

Its return therefore carries considerable historical significance.

Toyota is bringing back a name associated with championship victories at precisely the moment when the sport is preparing for a new technical era.

That creates enormous expectations.

The GR Celica Rally1 will not simply be judged on whether it looks spectacular or attracts attention. Its real reputation will be established through stage times, victories and championship results.

And Evans will be the driver expected to lead that process.

The Welshman has finally achieved his lifelong ambition of becoming world champion. Now he has an opportunity to become the first driver to establish the new Celica as a major force in the modern WRC era.

However, history can create pressure as well as inspiration.

The previous Celica generations established a remarkable legacy, and the new machine will inevitably be compared with those legendary rally cars.

Toyota must ensure that the modern GR Celica delivers on the expectations surrounding its return.

For Evans, that means becoming part of a new chapter in the manufacturer’s history while simultaneously protecting his own championship status.

THE BIG QUESTION: CAN EVANS DEFEND HIS TITLE AGAINST TOYOTA’S SUPERTEAM?

The 2027 WRC season is already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing campaigns in recent memory.

Toyota has assembled an extraordinary combination of established champions and emerging talent, while the introduction of the GR Celica Rally1 gives the manufacturer a fresh identity for the new technical era.

Evans will enter the season with the number one target on his back, having finally secured the championship that had eluded him for so many years.

But the circumstances surrounding his title defence will be completely different.

He will have to adapt to new machinery, work through the challenges of the WRC27 regulations and compete against a wider group of championship-winning drivers.

Rovanperä’s return brings back a two-time world champion with unfinished business. Tänak’s comeback reunites Toyota with another former title winner whose experience could prove invaluable.

Meanwhile, Solberg and Pajari are no longer simply promising young drivers. Their performances in 2026 have established them as serious contenders in their own right.

The most important question is whether Toyota’s enormous strength will make Evans’ championship defence easier or create an even more demanding environment.

There is no confirmed indication that Evans is facing a threat to his position within Toyota. The manufacturer has publicly placed him at the centre of its new GR Celica programme.

Nevertheless, the competitive pressure will be unavoidable.

Every victory, every technical improvement and every mistake will be compared against the performances of his team-mates and rivals.

The 2027 season could therefore become a defining chapter in Evans’ career.

If he successfully adapts to the GR Celica Rally1 and defends his championship, his reputation will reach another level.

If Rovanperä or Tänak immediately return to winning form, however, the battle for supremacy could become considerably more complicated.

One thing is certain: Toyota is not entering the new era with a conservative approach.

It is bringing back the Celica, restoring two championship-winning drivers to its line-up and preparing to challenge for victories with six factory cars.

The question is no longer whether Toyota has enough talent to fight for the 2027 title. The real question is whether Elfyn Evans can remain the man leading the charge when the WRC enters its most unpredictable new chapter.