Why was Toyota banned from WRC?
Toyota was not banned from the World Rally Championship (WRC). The factory team withdrew from the WRC after the 1999 season for budgetary and strategic reasons and later returned in 2017 with a renewed, competitive program.
There is sometimes confusion about regulatory actions and team withdrawals in motorsport history. This article explains Toyota’s WRC chronology, clarifies the ban misconception, and outlines what changed when Toyota came back to the sport.
Historical context: Toyota’s WRC journey
Early years and the rise to prominence
During the late 1980s and 1990s, Toyota campaigned the Celica GT-Four across the WRC under evolving Group A rules, earning regular wins and podiums and establishing itself as a top contender in rallying’s premier series.
- Toyota competed with the Celica GT-Four in the WRC across several generations (ST165, ST185, ST205), becoming a consistent threat to other major manufacturers.
- The program produced multiple rally wins and strong results, cementing Toyota’s status in the sport’s top echelon.
- In 1999, the factory WRC program was ended as part of a strategic shift and budget consolidation, rather than as a sanction or ban from the FIA.
- For the 2000s, Toyota did not field a full factory WRC team and focused resources elsewhere, though the brand maintained involvement in various motorsport activities.
The decision to withdraw was presented as a strategic reallocation of resources rather than a punitive action by governing bodies. This distinction is central to understanding Toyota’s WRC history.
Return and current status in the WRC
Re-entry and resurgence
In 2017, Toyota re-entered the WRC as Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, launching a new era with the Yaris WRC. The program signaled Toyota’s renewed commitment to rallying at the highest level and marked a shift toward a modern, factory-backed effort with a focus on technology transfer from road cars.
- 2017: Toyota rejoined the WRC with a dedicated factory program fielding the Yaris WRC, signaling a fresh start after nearly two decades away from top-level rallying.
- 2019: The program achieved one of its most historic milestones when Ott Tänak won the WRC Drivers’ Championship while driving for Toyota, underscoring the effectiveness of the renewed project.
- 2020s: The team continued to be highly competitive, scoring wins and podiums, and maintaining a prominent presence in the sport’s top tier.
Today, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT stands as a leading force in the WRC, illustrating how a deliberate return, strong engineering, and driver talent can redefine a manufacturer’s place in rallying after a lengthy absence.
Summary
The belief that Toyota was banned from the WRC is a misconception. Toyota’s factory program left the championship after 1999 due to cost and strategic decisions, not FIA sanctions. The brand returned in 2017 with renewed vigor and has since achieved notable success, including a drivers’ championship in 2019 with Ott Tänak, reaffirming Toyota’s influential role in modern WRC history.
What Toyota engine was banned from racing?
The Toyota Celica GT-Four, a rally car, was banned because of its illegal turbocharger. Prior to the mid-1980s, rally races, which are car races held on public roads and wooded trails, were won mostly by cars from European manufacturers.
Why is Toyota no longer in F1?
In light of the parent company's first ever financial loss in 2009, Toyota decided to withdraw from Formula One with immediate effect on 4 November 2009. Toyota's 2010 car the TF110 was almost fully developed. There were two prepared prototype chassis of the TF110.
When did Toyota leave the WRC?
1999
Toyota decided to quit running in the WRC at the end of the 1999 season, quoting that "all that can be achieved has been achieved." The team managed to secure the manufacturers' title in their last season, four points ahead of their nearest rival Subaru, while Auriol placed third in the drivers' championship, coming ...
When did Toyota cheat in WRC?
1995
October, 1995. To keep its ageing Celica GT-Four competitive, Toyota tricked the WRC with a clever – and massively illegal – restrictor plate. While its discovery saw Toyota disqualified as a manufacturer from the WRC until 1997, the part earned high praise from FIA President, Max Mosley…
