Toyota aims for consistency to play for 2018 titles

By climbing onto the second step of the podium in the Rally Monte-Carlo twelve months ago, Jari-Matti Latvala offered to Toyota Gazoo Racing a somewhat unexpected result but very valuable to ideally launch its return to WRC after a long absence since 1999.

This encouraging start was followed by a first victory on Swedish snow a few days later, before the leader of Tommi Mäkinen's structure experienced a more mixed season, marked by convincing performances (second in Italy), but also by a lack of consistency to get on the final podium of the season.

Consistency will be the key word for the Japanese brand as it enters the 2018 season. « I believe we can be a lot more consistent, which is really what we need to challenge for championship titles, analyzes Tommi Mäkinen.

This is our goal after our learning season last year. The break since the end of Rally Australia hasn't been very long but we've been very busy trying to make our car even better. »

Toyota will also be able to count on the reinforcement ofOtt Tänak, recruté en provenance de M-Sport, et qui comptera sur une Yaris WRC revue sur le plan aéro (bouclier avant), et qui avait bénéficié en 2017 d’un moteur souvent loué pour ses performances.

“The team did a very good job last year: even though it was their first season, they were already very competitive, underlines the Estonian. I could see their potential and wanted to make sure I was a part of this team for years to come.

Our goal is the same: to win the championship. I'm getting used to the team but I already feel very good and the preparation has gone very well. At the Monte-Carlo Rally, we will see where we are compared to the competition. Of course, it is one of the most difficult rallies on the calendar. You don't know what to expect, whether there will be snow or ice, whether it will be wet or dry. »

Toyota was able to carry out several test sessions in the off-season to prepare for the Monegasque classic, encountering both snowy conditions and drier roads.