A prestigious driver for this hydrogen rally Toyota Yaris

Akio Toyoda, alias Morizo, took the wheel of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 H2 concept on the Monaco circuit.

Toyota is actively pursuing the development of hydrogen-powered engines in motorsport, and the appearance of the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept on the legendary Monaco track marks a new symbolic milestone. For this demonstration, the Japanese manufacturer enlisted a notable ambassador: Akio Toyoda himself, the president of the group and passionate driver known by the pseudonym Morizo. The goal was not only to showcase a concept car but to highlight the gradual maturity of hydrogen technologies applied to rallying.

This appearance is part of a continuity. For several years, Toyota has been increasing its experimentation in competitions, whether in the World Rally Championship (WRC), endurance racing, or in Japanese Super Taikyu races. Akio Toyoda had already driven hydrogen prototypes during the Ypres rally in 2022 and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, helping to publicize these alternative solutions. The demonstration in Monaco thus targeted a wide audience of motorsport stakeholders, engineers, and institutional representatives.

The Morizo label

Beyond pure performance, Toyota emphasizes a dimension often overlooked: the preservation of the sound sensations characteristic of motorsports. According to the brand, hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines could reconcile carbon neutrality with mechanical emotion, a balance sought by many enthusiasts.

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With development programs already underway and discussions ongoing around technical standards, hydrogen could eventually find its place in several major disciplines such as the WRC, the WEC, or global rally-raid. The Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, driven by Morizo, thus illustrates a strategic vision where technological innovation and sporting heritage strive to coexist.

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