The addition of experienced Belgian Yves Matton denotes a significant enhancement of the management structure at Overdrive, the company behind TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC’s rally-raid program. Matton is tasked with adding focus and efficiency to the team, in an increasingly professional championship with various manufacturers competing at the highest level.
Starting with the BP Ultimate Rally-Raid Portugal (March 17-22), the second round of the 2026 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship, Yves Matton will join Overdrive Racing as Team Manager, with the main task of overseeing the entry of the three TGR W2RC DKR GR Hilux cars.
Jean-Marc Fortin, Managing Director of Overdrive Racing: “With TOYOTA GAZOO Racing’s W2RC program managed by Overdrive Racing, it is essential to have an optimal management structure. Yves Matton will be able to share his extensive experience in team management, as well as the skills he has acquired over many years in both rallying and rally-raid, particularly during his time as FIA Rally Director. We are also proud to welcome him to our team and further strengthen the Belgian identity of our organization, which also includes Christian Loriaux at the head of its technical department.”
Yves Matton, Team Manager of Overdrive Racing: “I am delighted to take on this new challenge with a major manufacturer that has a very strong track record in various disciplines. After the WRC and WTCC, I will have the opportunity to lead a professional team in a third World Championship, which will not be a complete discovery for me since rally-raid was obviously part of my responsibilities when I held the position of Rally Director at the FIA. Our objective is very clear: to enable Toyota to retain its Manufacturers’ title in W2RC.”
Aged 58, Yves Matton has over 30 years of experience at the highest level of motorsport. After working with the Future World and Kronos Racing teams in rallying, he joined Citroën Sport in 2002 under the leadership of Guy Fréquelin. In 2012, the Belgian was appointed Team Principal of Citroën Racing in the World Rally Championship (WRC). From 2014 onwards, he took charge of a dual program with Citroën's parallel entry in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC).
In 2018, Yves Matton joined the FIA as Rally Director under President Jean Todt. His responsibilities included the strategic vision for rallying and cross-country rallying at all levels, as well as the administration and regulatory management of the associated FIA championships and sporting commissions. In December 2021, Yves Matton left the FIA, choosing to pursue new challenges and to devote himself in particular to his passion for classic rally cars through the development of MY Gallery in Belgium.
Source: Overdrive Racing
Disclaimer:
As a service to the sport we all love and follow, Rally-Raid Network posts numerous media releases from a wide variety of sources on our website. Due to the large number, and some times short time available, it is nearly impossible to review each public release. These articles are written by reporters or press officers who work for various organizers, teams, drivers, riders, and other parties, and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Rally-Raid Network.
