associated researches
Drivers of his generation
Toyota
1. Toyota in brief
Toyota is a Japanese brand, entered in the World Rally Championship since 2017, having already evolved in the category between 1972 and 1999. Thanks to the successes of Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä in recent years, the team led by Jari-Matti Latvala has established itself as the most dominant in the last decade.
2. Toyota's history in the WRC
Toyota has a rich and varied history in the World Rally Championship (WRC), marked by periods of success but also by years of absence from competition. It all started in 1972. After several years of progress, the Japanese team ended up winning world titles in the 1990s. Driving the Celica then the Corolla, the team was crowned in the drivers' championship with Carlos Sainz (1990 and 1992). ), with Juha Kankkunen (1993) and even with the Frenchman Didier Auriol (1994). A period which was marked by exclusion from the championship in 1995, after suspicions of cheating. The brand then returned in 1998 for three seasons, with a third constructors' title in 1999, after 1993 and 1994.
Carlos Sainz won his two world championship titles with Toyota. © DPPI
Absent for almost two decades, Toyota returned to business brilliantly in 2017, fielding its Toyota Yaris WRC in the hands of highly talented drivers. It allowed Ott Tänak to win his first world title in 2019, before Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä left their mark on the following four seasons. The Frenchman won his 7th and 8th world titles in 2020 and 2021, when the Finn took over successfully in 2022 and 2023, when Ogier decided to only take part in a few rallies via a partial program.
Over the period, Toyota won the Manufacturers' titles in 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023. In addition to their success in competition, Toyota has also highlighted its hybrid technology as part of its commitment to the WRC. The Yaris WRC uses hybrid technology, making it an example of how innovations developed for racing can be applied to production cars. Overall, Toyota's WRC history is one of past success, a period of absence and a triumphant return, making the team a force to reckon with in the world of rallying.
3. Toyota drivers in WRC in 2024
For the 2024 season, Toyota is trusting four drivers to compete in its three Toyota Yaris Hybrids. Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta are the starters and both complete a full program, while the last two world champions Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä share the third Yaris due to their desire to only do a partial program.
Sébastien Ogier has taken a step back from the WRC but remains present in the world championship for a few rounds. © Nikos Katikis / DPPI
4. AUTOhebdo's opinion on Toyota
With five Manufacturers' world titles (1993, 1994, 1999, 2018, 2021), Toyota is one of the three most successful Manufacturers in the WRC, behind the untouchable Lancia and Citroën. Each time she has been involved in the WRC, she has been able to consistently challenge for titles. His return in 2017 was resounding, since it allowed three different drivers to be titled: Tänak, Ogier and Rovanperä. By continuing at this pace, Toyota could quickly fall on the brand with the double chevron in terms of the number of Manufacturers' titles gleaned. Today it is the reference in WRC.
GT alongside the WRC for Kalle Rovanperä in 2024? ©Grégory Lenormand / DPPI