TOYOTA TESTING STARTS IN FINLAND
Makinen hails first test as ‘brilliant’ while Hanninen chips in with driving
Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Tommi Makinen has described the Yaris WRC’S first week of testing as a “very big success”.
Makinen told Motorsport News, now the car has started testing, it won’t stop. The team remains in central Finland this week and next, with a second test Yaris being finalised in the factory and readied for more gravel running in southern Europe in the middle of next week. A third car will start testing on asphalt soon after.
Toyota will return to the World Rally Championship under Makinen’s guidance from the start of next season.
“I am very happy with the test,” said Makinen. “Everything is very good. The testing is really non-stop for us now. We are gathering as much data as we can and looking at all aspects of the car and how it is running; looking at how different areas of the car and how they are reacting, how is the temperatures, that kind of thing.”
Makinen admitted there had been minor teething problems, but nothing to stop the car completely.
“Of course there have been some small things, but also we are making many changes to the car to try different things,” he added. “This is why we are staying for so long in Finland; we have very good roads all of the time around here and if something needs some modifications then we have the flexibility to come and do it in the factory before going back out testing again the next day.”
With the early shakedown of the Yaris done, Toyota has already begun working on the performance side of the car.
“There are so many little things with the car and with the way things are set-up,” said Makinen, “but we have also looked at the performance as well. We are looking at the moment for the best balance in all areas and we have really scored with some good information already.”
Running in mixed conditions with temperatures hovering around 10 degrees, Makinen is happy with the test roads.
“OK the road conditions are a little bit cooler than at Neste Rally [Finland] time, which means we are having less grip [than on the rally], but it’s no problem,” he added.
Makinen is sharing the testing with Juho Hanninen – the former Hyundai driver completing last week’s running.
“I have done a little bit more than Juho,” said Makinen. “But not much. The co-operation between us is working really well, I have to say. We go to the test and I drive in one area and then Juho is driving in the same area and we are comparing the feeling from the car.
“In fact, co-operation from the whole team is working very, very well right now, with all of the technicians and engineers. We are all happy to see the car running.”
Former World Rally Championship frontrunner Mikko Hirvonen is expected to join the test team once the car has progressed further.
“When we go to the next level, then Mikko will come,” said Makinen. “At the moment, we are still at the start and looking at the basics.”
The team has tested in absolute privacy so far, meaning there have been no pictures available. As the team tests further afield, footage of the car will become available.
Toyota is keen, however, for images of its all-new World Rally Car to remain confidential for as long as possible.