Toyota’s Chile result is ‘big motivation boost’ heading to WRC Central European Rally

Toyota’s Chile result is ‘big motivation boost’ heading to WRC Central European Rally

14th October 2024 0 By Kamron Kent

Toyota has halved the deficit to championship leaders Hyundai as the team chases down the team and driver titles at the World Rally Championship Central European Rally.

Feature image credit: Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool

Following a maximum score result in Chile last time out, Toyota has more than halved the deficit to championship leaders Hyundai as the sport heads into the final two rounds. 

Heading into Chile, the gap between the two title rivals was 35 points but at the end of the event, the distance dropped to 17 points. 

This came as Toyota stormed ahead to a perfect weekend of 55 points and became the first team to take home the maximum points haul under the new points system. 

Ahead of the Central European Rally, Toyota Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala described Chile’s result as a ‘big motivation boost’ ahead of the final two events. He said: 

“Our result in Chile was a big motivation boost for the whole team. Having halved the gap, we have shown that the manufacturers’ championship race remains open and everything is still possible, so we’re very much looking forward to the Central European Rally. 

“This rally is a big challenge for the crews and last year we saw difficult conditions with a lot of rain and mud. Our car has been working well in those conditions and I think our drivers are ready for the challenge.

“To see that Seb still has so much speed and motivation is really pushing the team on, while Elfyn’s strong weekend in Chile has helped his confidence, and I’m sure that both of them can be fighting at the front. 

“For Taka, the target will be to have a solid rally, score some points and find a good feeling in the car ahead of Rally Japan. Meanwhile, this rally will be something new for Sami driving our Rally1 car on asphalt for the first time and for him it will be all about learning and gaining experience.”

Despite the gap to Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, Sebastien Oger and Elfyn Evans remain in mathematical contention for the WRC’s drivers’ titles. 

However, the focus will primarily stand on the manufacturer’s championship as both Ogier and Evans sit more than 41 points and 46 points behind the championship leader, respectively.

But, it will be tricky for the two drivers to fight for the title on the CER’s bumpy, narrow, yet fast roads in the middle of the European autumn season, so the weather can change to make the conditions more challenging.

Takamoto Katsuta will return this weekend, having missed out Rally Chile last time out, to compete alongside Ogier, Evans and Sami Pajari.

On his return to the action, Katsuta said: 

“I’m looking forward to being back in the car and driving on a totally different surface for the last two rallies of the year. I really like driving on asphalt and I hope to find a good feeling and perform well. Central European Rally is a big challenge for everybody with a lot of surface changes and dirt on the road. 

“Last year, the Friday on Czech roads was especially difficult with rain and a lot of cuts. With that experience it should be easier to return this year but there will still be many new stages, so we need to focus on making good pacenotes and communicating well with our route note crew.

“I will try to be patient, be there to score points for the team and if everything goes well, it will be easier for me to push at Rally Japan.”

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Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

CategoryNews Rallying WRC

About the author

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

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