WRC

Toyota does not want to rush into Monte-Carlo

Ott Tänak, Jari-Matti Latvala and Kris Meeke are not setting specific objectives before starting one of the most risky rallies of the WRC season.

Published on 21/01/2019 à 10:41

Medhi Casaurang

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Toyota does not want to rush into Monte-Carlo

Will the third attempt be the right one? Since its official return to the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2017,e Toyota Gazoo Racing a buté deux fois sur la deuxième marche du podium du Rally Monte Carlo (the first time with Jari-Matti Latvala, the second with Ott Tänak). For the 2019 edition (January 24 to 27), the Yaris WRC want victory.

What's better than having the knowledge of a four-time winner at the head of the team? The main team Tommi Makinen had gleaned four Monte-Carl' between 1999 and 2002, and knows how to motivate his troops. “It’s a very tricky event to start the season, but our men have a lot of experience. This is undoubtedly the most important element, because my victories came in the last years of my career », explains the 54-year-old Finn.

 

 

The training leader, Ott Tänak, feels “much more relaxed” compared to last year. “12 months ago everything was new to me, but I'm going into this season with the same car and the same staff around it. All the knowledge accumulated in 2018 will make us better. I'm hungrier than ever, we know you just have to be smart here, it's so unpredictable", recognizes the Estonian.

The most experienced driver on the WRC grid (195 starts since 2002), Jari-Matti Latvala will not seek victory at all costs. “I finished Monte-Carlo on the podium the last two years (2nd and 3rd), it would be ideal to continue this series but the key will be to have a clean weekend and minimize mistakes » analyzes the one who will begin his 13th season in the World Cup.

 

Finally, the newcomer Chris Meeke will be even more careful than his colleagues. “I'm still in the learning phase, so I won't have high goals in Monte-Carlo. My priority will be to enjoy driving, and the Monte-Carl' is precisely an event that I have enjoyed in the past. »

Find the 2019 WRC Guide in issue 2199 of AUTOhebdo, still available on newsstands and in digital version.

Medhi Casaurang

Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!

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