WRC: Makinen starts testing 2017 Toyota

Toyota's 2017 World Rally Car has completed its first week of testing, with Tommi Makinen behind the wheel. The four-time WRC champion is leading Toyota's return to the championship as team principal, and completed more than 600 miles in its first Yaris in the last five days.

Juho Hanninen is driving the Yaris on Wednesday, his second day in Toyota Gazoo Racing's 2017 specification machine.

"It was a very special feeling when I drove for first time," Makinen told Autosport "I think we are all surprised now just how good is the package from the start.

"The car feels very good – very, very good – and has been running now for one and a half weeks already."

The test is running in central Finland, close to Makinen's team's base in Puuppola.

"This is the first test, so of course there are some items which we are working on," said Makinen. "but we are finding a lot of information which is going to help us.

"For the team, we are all very happy to see the car running now. This is an exciting time for us."

Toyota's return to the World Rally Championship has been mired in speculation since it was announced last January, but Makinen – announced as team principal in July – hopes its testing activity will put the rumours to bed.

"The car is running now, and we have more cars coming," he said. "The second test car is built and will be going to the south of Europe for more testing very soon."

Originally on Autosport.com