Jari-Matti Latvala brings the European Historic Rally Championship title to Toyota

At Fafe, at the start of this 10th^e And in the final round of the EHRC championship, in other words the European Historic Racing Championship, the main focus was on Jari-Matti Latvala. The Finn, whose mission was to clinch the title, absolutely had to win.

After a superb start to the competition with a victory at the Costa Brava in Spain and another at the Vltava in the Czech Republic, JML then suffered two setbacks. He first abandoned the race with a view to the finish line at the rally from Antibes, then to Ypres and Finland. Each time, he dominated, but the mechanics of his Celica let him down. Absent in Austria (at the Weiz), the TGR director resumed his campaign in Greece for the Acropolis. Dominating the proceedings, Latvala recorded his 3rd^e success of the season before a 4^e during the Rally of Asturias in Spain. In order to be certain of securing the title, he absolutely had to win another victory during the final round in Fafe, Portugal.

Laid out around this city, famous in the world of rallying, the asphalt stages offered a total of 130,48 km of timed sections. With no real rivals to his liking, Jari-Matti Latvala won every stage with a Celica prepared and supported by his team. Adding a 5^e Following his success this year, he was crowned European champion of historic rallies.

« This may seem surprising, but this is the very first title of my career., laughed Jari-Matti Latvala. I didn't even win one in Finland. I had to wait until I was 40 for it to happen, and it's a wonderful feeling, especially considering the pressure. I absolutely had to win the last three races on the calendar after suffering three consecutive retirements. Following this first victory, we will continue our involvement next year with the same car in one of the three championships created by the FIA. »

After the Constructors' crown in WRC, that of WRC2 with Oliver Solberg and soon that with drivers that Sébastien OgierElfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä are the only ones who can secure a spot in Saudi Arabia. Toyota will have achieved a good harvest in 2025.

ALSO READ > The Weekly Question – Second in the WRC, is Sébastien Ogier the favorite for the title?