TMG continued its test and development programme with its current Yaris in Spain last week.
Makinen talked at last month’s Rally Germany about his determination to run two test teams simultaneously, but in different locations, starting in February next year.
Sources in the Japanese media said: “Two test programmes running early next year with two cars being run at each test is a big, big [thing to be] taking on. Everybody wants Tommi to succeed, of course they do; everybody wants Toyota in the championship and at a high level, but we need to see some action now.”
TMG wouldn’t be drawn on the potential for more involvement with the prgramme. A spokesman added: “TMG is responsible for delivering the engine for Toyota’s 2017 WRC return and for this we are using the current TMG Yaris for testing. Toyota will issue information about future developments at an appropriate time in the future.”