More than 30 years later, Toyota Celica will return to the World Rally World Championship (WRC). The Japanese builder announced his plans for the next season, in which he will also keep Yaris and secured the return of champions Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak.
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03/11/2026
by
Othe efforts of Toyota at the World Rally World (WRC) next year they divide into two, with the return of Celica to be one of the great news. Elfyn Evans will defend the title and remains in the Japanese manufacturer, who welcomes the world champions Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak.
It'll be two teams: toyota Racing will compete with the new GR Celica Rally1 which debuts 32 years after the last Celica (the Turbo ST205) has participated in the WRC. Already gazoo Racing Toyota will align with the renewed GR Yaris Rally1, taking into account the new regulations.
Another big news is the return of Kalle Rovanperä and Ott Tänak, who join the champion of 2026, Elfyn Evans. Also in action will be Oliver Solberg, Sami Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta.
With GR Celica Rally1 will be Evans, Solberg and Pajari – the top three of this year's championship. Already gR Yaris Rally1 will be delivered to Tänak, Katsuta and, part-time, Rovanperä.
On the other hand, toyota admits “sporadic participations of experienced drivers such as the nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier”, besides “continue exploring opportunities for young pilots”.
WRC renewed in 2027
Next season, there is a significant change in the World Rally World (WRC), which has new regulations technicians for the top category. The Rally1 will have engines, suspension, brakes and other Rally2 equipment. The current Rally2 can be approved with an aerodynamic package (WRC Kit) in order to be fit for the main class.
Manufacturers will be more free to design the bodywork (which cannot exceed 4.1 meters long) around a tubular safety cell, and the specification of an asphalt car should not cost more than 345,000 euros. There are also innovations in the engine, which ceases to be hybrid to become a turbocharged 1.6 liters.
In addition to Toyota, the presence of M-Sport Ford and the non-car manufacturers Project Rally One and RMC Motorsport are confirmed.
From a sporting point of view, there will be a new Construction Championship for traditional car manufacturers and independent preparers – on the condition of participating in the full season in order to claim the title. The Team Championship will also be created, in which formations will elect seven pointable rallies – the last of the season and one outside Europe are mandatory.
Calendar without Portugal
Next year, Portuguese viewers will not be able to watch WRC on national soil. Without anything keeping him waiting, portugal Rally has left the calendar, which entered the United States Rally and the Scottish Rally.
15 rounds will be played, including the Italian Rally – in Rome, thus leaving aside the stage of Sardinia that for several years welcomed the championship. The start is scheduled for 21 to 24 January with the Monte Carlo Rally.
Toyota Celica back?
For more than three decades, Toyota Celica became an icon. It was produced between 1970 and 2006, for a total of seven generations. He stood out for his sports personality, taking the form of coupé or convertible.
In 2024, quoted by BestCar, Toyota Vice President Yuki Nakajima revealed: “There are many people inside the company who look forward to Celica. I wonder if we can say this publicly, but.. let's do Celica!“.
Since then, there has been no public announcement of the return of the popular model, but about two months ago the British publication Autocar reported that Celica should even return – because it is one of the three models that President Akio Toyoda wants to be able to put back on the market.
And putting a Celica in the World Rally World can be a great indicator that the coupe can even come back – although manufacturers are not required to follow a mass production body, there does not seem to be much logic in promoting a model that is not in the range.