The 2022 WRC season is getting closer and closer and with the debut of the new ‘Rally1’, each of the official driver positions is highly valued. Toyota Gazoo Racing, Hyundai Motorsport and M-Sport have their lineups unsealed and there are many variables that they handle when defining their templates. Names like Sébastien Ogier, Sébastien Loeb, Esapekka Lappi or Teemu Suninen act as stars of a ‘silly season’ that promises more than one surprise. Each brand handles different options and the drivers present in the WRC2 category also push to climb to the queen class.
Starting with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the great unknown is around the figure of Sébastien Ogier. The Frenchman intends to continue in the team, but will do so with a partial program. And this is where different names come up that can complement the Gap driver in 2022. Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä will drive the first two Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, while Takamoto katsuta will remain behind the wheel of the only unit of the Japanese World Rally Car that is outside the official structure. Esapekka Lappi is the loudest rider to complement Sébastien Ogier. In fact, the Finn will already be driving a Toyota Yaris WRC on his home round.
For its part, Hyundai Motorsport has already confirmed the continuity of its two full-time drivers. Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak will drive the first two Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in 2022, while the third unit still has no clear owner. Many are the rumors that place Craig Breen out of the team, which would break the solid rotation that it has maintained this year with Dani sordo. For his part, the Cantabrian driver has sounded for Toyota for some time, but his continuity in the World Championship seems to go through continuing at Hyundai. The complement of Spanish can be Oliver Solberg.
With everything, M-Sport is the focus of the greatest number of rumors and movements. Adrien Fourmaux is the only driver who is guaranteed a Ford Puma Rally1 within a team that works to have three cars in 2022. Teemu Suninen is out of the equation after leaving the M-Sport project immediately. However, candidates are not lacking. Sébastien Loeb opposes a partial program and Malcolm Wilson has already started talks with the French star. It also sounds strong Craig Breen himself or even Gus Greensmith, the only full-time M-Sport driver this year. All without forgetting Andreas Mikkelsen.