Toyota chairman demonstrates hydrogen rally car on Monaco circuit
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda drove the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept on the Monaco GP circuit as Toyota lobbies for hydrogen in world championship motorsport.
Toyota chairman Akio Toyoda drove the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit this week, demonstrating the hydrogen combustion rally car to motorsport stakeholders during Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Toyoda - who races under the pseudonym Morizo - has made a habit of personally demonstrating Toyota's hydrogen vehicles.
Previous outings include the WRC Ypres Rally in 2022, the Le Mans 24 Hours centenary in 2023, and multiple rounds of Japan's Super Taikyu endurance series in both gaseous and liquid hydrogen prototypes.
"Hydrogen is a very important element in motorsports and hydrogen engines are extremely well-suited to racing," Toyoda said. "I hope people can understand our intention and will support us in this activity for the future of motorsport."
The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept is built to WRC's second-tier Rally2 regulations, using a modified version of the 1.6-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder from the road car. Toyota claims near-zero emissions while retaining the noise of internal combustion - the central pitch for hydrogen's place in motorsport.
Toyota wants hydrogen included in future regulations for the World Rally Championship, World Endurance Championship and World Rally-Raid Championship. The FIA is working on hydrogen safety regulations with an aim to introduce a class in endurance racing by 2028.