DINAS Mawddwy's Elfyn Evans will spearhead Toyota's challenge in the FIA World Rally Championship's new era after being confirmed as lead driver for the manufacturer's new TOYOTA RACING team in 2027.

The Welshman heads into the season as reigning world champion after finally securing his first WRC crown in 2026, ending years of near misses and underlining his status as one of the sport's leading drivers.

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team has announced a major restructuring ahead of the introduction of new Rally1 regulations in 2027, with two separate factory teams competing under the Toyota banner.

Toyota will field both the new GR Celica Rally1 and GR Yaris Rally1 cars, with Evans and co-driver Scott Martin leading the line-up in the revived TOYOTA RACING squad.

Evans' title triumph came at the end of a dramatic 2026 campaign. Toyota secured a record-equalling sixth consecutive manufacturers' championship.

The championship battle went down to the final stage of the final rally, with Evans eventually prevailing by just five points from Oliver Solberg and six ahead of Sami Pajari.

For Evans and Martin, the success represented a long-awaited breakthrough after finishing runners-up in the championship on five previous occasions.

The duo will enter their eighth successive full season with Toyota in 2027 and have now started more rallies for the Japanese manufacturer than any other crew in its WRC history.

Toyota's new TOYOTA RACING line-up will see Evans joined by Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson, who finished second in the standings this year after claiming three victories.

Completing the squad are Pajari and Marko Salminen, who enjoyed an impressive season by finishing third overall and recording three wins along with nine podium finishes.

Meanwhile, a second factory team, GAZOO Racing TOYOTA, will campaign the new GR Yaris Rally1 car.

That line-up includes former world champion Ott Tänak and co-driver Martin Järveoja, who return to Toyota seven years after securing the 2019 title together with the manufacturer.

Japanese star Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston also feature after a breakthrough season in which they recorded their first WRC victories and made history as Katsuta became the first Japanese driver to lead the championship standings.

Double world champion Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen will also return to WRC competition with a partial programme of selected events following a year away from the championship.

Toyota says the two teams will operate under the same roof at its Jyväskylä headquarters in Finland, with both entries competing equally for victories and helping to accelerate development of the two new cars.

Speaking after his title-winning season, Evans said: "This was another strong season for us and for the team, and it was obviously very special to finally get the world championship over the line after coming close a few times before.

"I'm grateful to everyone who has continued to support and believe in us, and especially the team.

"I'm very happy to head into our eighth season with Toyota as we enter this new era.

"Attention is already turning to next year and what's to come with the new car. It will be very different from what we've been used to, so there's some work ahead for everyone to adapt and get the most out of it.

"I'm looking forward to that challenge and hope we can keep on achieving good things together."