Toyota, reliability as an asset to win in Mexico

Se relever après la chute, tel sera le mantra de Toyota for the Rally from Mexico. The Japanese firm, based in Cologne (Germany), will be keen to bounce back after a difficult Rally in Sweden, where no Yaris finished on the podium. A hard blow after the sensational one-two finish at the Monte-Carlo Rally.

After asphalt and snow, it is now the earth and sand of Latin America that awaits the Japanese team. A third surface in as many events which requires a certain adaptation. In the Mexican heat and altitude, it is perhaps reliability which will be the arbiter of the debates.

" The reliability will be essential » according to Latvala

“This will be the first time we go to Mexico with this car, and therefore the first time we use hybrid technology in these conditions, underlines Jari-Matti Latvala, senior director of Toyota Gazoo Racing. Reliability will be key and our team has worked hard to prepare as well as possible. Road position is usually an important factor, but I think our riders should be well placed at the start and have a good chance to fight. »

On the drivers' side, the enthusiasm to return to Mexico is added to the desire for victory, after the Swedish defeat. The best placed Toyota driver, Kalle Rovanperä, will not have the heavy task of opening the road, which could constitute a small advantage against Ott Tänak. The Finn hopes to achieve his first success this season.

“We have worked a lot to improve the car and the pace for the difficult gravel conditions, and it was nice to see already during our recent testing in Spain that we are definitely moving in the right direction, rejoices the reigning champion. I'm quite happy not to start first on the road in Mexico, where just one position can make a big difference. It may still be difficult compared to those starting behind us, but of course we will do our best. »

Favorite Ogier?

Toyota will also be able to count on Sébastien Ogier, the latest winner on the Rally of Mexico, in 2020 (an edition truncated by the Covid-19 health crisis). The Gapençais loves this rally since he has won six times since his debut in WRC on this same event, in 2008.

“When I knew that the Rallye México was coming back, I immediately put it in my calendar as an event that would be nice to do again, confides the Frenchman, who will logically start as favorite thanks to his experience in Mexico and thanks to his starting position on Friday. I hadn't really ridden on this type of gravel since Portugal last year, so the recent testing in Spain was important for me to find the best possible sensations. It will be interesting to see how the hybrid can help offset the usual power loss one experiences at high altitudes. »

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