Toyota crowned again in WRC: “It’s getting better and better every year! »

Toyota on top of the world… again! Building on its Manufacturers' title in the World ChampionshipEndurance (WEC), the Japanese firm has just added a second crown to its 2023 collection with the coronation among the stables in WRC. A seventh star for Toyota in rally, after the titles acquired in 1993, 1994 (Celica Turbo 4WD), 1999 (Corolla WRC), 2018, 2021 (Yaris WRC) and 2022 (GR Yaris Rally1).

CHAMPIONS! 🏆🤩#ToyotaGAZOORacing #GRYaris #WRC #RallyChile 🇨🇱 pic.twitter.com/vCnnmVhHcj

- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT (@TGR_WRC) October 1, 2023

Despite a Rally of Chile far from ideal for Toyota – with a big strategic error on Saturday in terms of tire choice – it was thanks to the surprise retirement of Teemu Suninen at the end of the course that the Japanese team was able to win a third consecutive title this early in the season. Something to rejoice in Jari-Matti Latvala, the main director of training based in Jyväskylä (Finland).

“I am extremely delighted. That gives me one Manufacturers' title when I was a driver, and now three as team director! It's pretty crazy, I have to admit., confided the ex-Finnish driver at the finish of the South American event. I came into this event with high hopes, but it was a difficult rally for us. Saturday night we were resigned, we thought there was no longer any chance [of winning the title in Chile]. However, in motorsport things can change so quickly, both positive and negative. In the end, it was a good result for us. I am very proud of the team, the drivers and what they have achieved this season. »

Toyota also assured of the Drivers’ title

If there are still two rallies on the program (Central Europe and Japan), Toyota – with its 106 points lead – can no longer be overtaken by Hyundai in the championship. Since the brand's return to the WRC in 2017, never has a team been titled so early in the season.

“In 2021, during my first year as Team Principal, we won the title in the last round. Last year, we won it on the penultimate rally. This year is for the antepenultimate! It gets better and better every year, rejoices Jari-Matti Latvala. But I know it will be more and more difficult in the future, the other teams are chasing us. »

From now on for Toyota, the only remaining question remains the identity of the driver who will win the title. Who, Kalle Rovanperä (217 points) or Elfyn Evans (189 points) will be crowned at the end of the season? For the Finnish director in any case, the show promises! “It will be interesting to follow the battle for the Drivers' title with our two protégés [Rovanperä and Evans], there are still things to enjoy and watch between now and the end of the year. »

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