FINTONA’S Aaron Johnston says the fire to repay the trust that has been shown in him and Japanese driving-mate Takamoto Katsuta by the hierarchy at Toyota Gazoo Racing burns brighter than ever.
After a year spent sharing the third points-scoring GR Yaris Rally1 with eight-time champion Sebastien Ogier, making five appearances with a highest result of third place at August’s Secto Rally Finland, they will start each of the 13 meetings that make-up the slightly revised calendar for 2024.
The promotion for Katsuta and Johnston, who joined forces towards the end of 2021, does come with considerable pressure, however, as the marque is the reigning drivers, co-drivers’ and more importantly manufacturers’ champions – three titles they have held on to for the past three years.
It follows the shock news by Kalle Rovanpera to step down from a full programme of World Rally Championship events for 2024, choosing instead to tackle selected rallies with Jonne Halttunen.
The decision means the 23-yearold will not be in a position to defend the crown he successfully retained at October’s Central European Rally, although he will be back to a full-time drive in 2025.
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Wales’ Elfyn Evans – a triple runner-up in the World Rally Championship since making the switch from M-Sport Ford to Toyota in 2020 – will pilot the second works-run GR Yaris Rally1 supermini.
“I am privileged to announce that Taka-san and myself will continue with Toyota Gazoo Racing into 2024 for a full assault on the FIA World Rally Championship in our GR Yaris Rally1,” said Johnston.
“I am enjoying my time in this amazing team alongside Taka. Together, we will keep working as hard as ever, continuing to push for even stronger results. For us the dream continues,” he added.
Katsuta echoed the Tyrone man’s sentiments and also reiterated his desire to challenge for podiums and silverware.
“I am very excited to start a new season with the team next year,” he said.
“I learned a lot this year: there were some rallies that were good for me and some that were not so good, but those have made me stronger and will hopefully help me in the future. Next year will be important to prove what I can do, and I will try to make it the best season of my career so far.”
Jari-Matti Latvala – Toyota Gazoo Racing Team Principal – believes retaining Rovanpera, Katsuta, Ogier and Evans for another campaign should bode well given the quartet’s familiarity with the car, the personnel and the majority of the countries they will visit between Janua
