WRC
A Toyota double at Monte-Carlo, “an incredible way to start the season”
A double for Toyota in this first rally of the season © Thomas Fenêtre / DPPI
As in 2022, Toyota démarre la saison sur les chapeaux de roue. L’écurie japonaise a réalisé un doublé pour la manche inaugurale de la saison 2023, avec la victoire de Sébastien Ogier and the 2nd place of Kalle Rovanperä on the Rally Monte Carlo. A success all the more impressive as the Yaris GR Rally1 won 16 of the 18 special stages of the event. Almost total domination and indisputable proof that Toyota will once again be favorites for both championships.
Led by its eight-time world champion WRC, the team based in Jyväskylä (Finland) is obviously satisfied with its start to the season. “We are very happy, it’s an incredible way to start the season, rejoiced Jari-Matti Latvala, the director of the Japanese team. When I arrived at Monte-Carlo, I knew that Sébastien Ogier was hungry for victory, because last year it was so close. You could see that determination in his eyes at the start Thursday evening. He performed a perfect piloting. At the same time, I'm very happy to see the performances of Kalle [Rovanperä], Elfyn [Evans] and Taka [Katsuta]. »
Toyota asked Rovanperä to calm things down
The ex-Finnish driver nevertheless indicated that he used team strategy at the end of the rally. On Saturday evening, Kalle Rovanperä closed to Sébastien Ogier to 16 seconds before the last four special stages on Sunday. “Kalle was getting better and better and I told him: 'if you want to win Monte-Carlo, you first have to finish on the podium', explained Latvala at the WRC+ microphone. Now he has done it, so I think that next year he will win the Monte Carlo. »
Grâce à son succès et à son doublé, Toyota mène déjà le championnat constructeur avec une belle avance (51 points contre 27 pour Hyundai). Pas de quoi se relâcher pour autant selon Jari-Matti Latvala. “Kalle will have to open the road in Sweden. It's going to be a big task, but I think it's fair to say the car is very good. The engineers and mechanics did an excellent job. We must continue to work, if we stop working, everyone will pass us by! » The Japanese team will therefore seek confirmation in Sweden, from February 9 to 12.
ALSO READ > Ogier king of Monte-Carlo: “I repeat it every year, but it’s my rally! »
Dorian Grangier
A young journalist nostalgic for the motorsport of yesteryear. Raised on the exploits of Sébastien Loeb and Fernando Alonso.
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