Jari-Matti Latvala, the rally legend-turned-team principal, is set to hit the dirt again, answering the call of the driver’s seat after years of dominating from the sidelines. While Latvala’s 2021 transition to team boss propelled Toyota into the lead of the World Rally Championship (WRC), his passion for racing never quite left. Now, in 2025, the 39-year-old is ready to scratch the racing itch once more by blending his leadership role with a full-time FIA European Historic Rally Championship campaign.
Latvala will kick off his team duties at Monte Carlo and Sweden before stepping back to fully dive into the historic circuit. It’s a return that Latvala’s fans have long awaited, with Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda and sporting director Kaj Lindström previously filling in for him during Rally Finland while he took a spin behind the wheel.
Latvala will be tackling next year’s European historic series in style, piloting a Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD – a move made possible after the FIA’s recent decision to permit historic rally cars up to the year 2000. Latvala is clearly thrilled about the change, and he’s not alone, as fans of the ’90s Group A cars and early World Rally Cars eagerly anticipate their return to action.
“It’s good news,” Latvala remarked, enthusiastic about the FIA’s decision. “There are so many fans who love seeing these cars in action, and I’m one of them. I’m thrilled to bring the Celica ST185 to the European Championship.”
With the rally veteran’s passion reignited, 2025 is set to be an electrifying year both on and off the track for Latvala and Toyota fans alike.
