Johnston believes ‘anything is possible’ ahead of new era

A NEW era in the World Rally Championship gets underway later today (Thursday) when Rallye Monte Carlo kick-starts the 2022 season which will see hybrid technology in use for the first time.

Each of the three main manufacturer’s in the series, Ford, Hyundai and Toyota have redesigned their cars to include the new hybrid kits, which will add an extra dimension to the series from this year on and Johnston, who will co-drive for Takamoto Katsuta in Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team Next Generation, believes there are no favourites heading into 2022.

“It will be the biggest shake-up in years,” he acknowledged.

“Yes, experience still matters but when it’s a completely new style of driving and even preparation wise it makes it very level.

“It’s great that we have this sort of reset to work with now.

“It will be good fun to launch into a new season with new possibilities on Thursday evening. I’m looking forward to it, it’s a blank canvas and the clocks are starting at zero and the championship points are starting at zero so anything is possible.”

While Katsuta and Johnston are the sole members of the ‘Next Generation’ team, they will still be eligible to sore points for Toyota, who will be represented by Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanpera, Esapekka Lappi and Sebastien Ogier, and that’s something the Fintona man is keen to do.

“It’s important to score points for the manufacturer’s, this is the main goal to support the team and do the best job that we can for everyone,” he added.

“That’s the plan and of course we want to be competitive ourselves and achieve good results personally but the main goal is to do the bet job we can for Toyota.”

Ahead of the start of the season opener later today, Johnston and Katsuta were in Salzberg for the official season launch where they got a close look at their rivals car and they undertook some testing near Nice, which went well.

“[The launch] was very, very good and it was nice to be involved and to be part of the new era,” Johnston beamed.

“It was the first time that all three cars have been together so of course we had a look at our competitors to see how we shape up and at the minute it looks very positive for what our guys have done.

“The test went very, very well. We are very happy with the set-up of the car. OK, we still have a lot more to do and a lot more to learn, but the base is there and we’re feeling confident going in to Monte Carlo.”