Toyota becomes the sixth brand in the history of the World Rally Championship to secure the manufacturers’ title for the third year in a row – reliability is key
Although victory in Rally Chile, the third-last round of the 2023 World Rally Championship (WRC), went to M-Sport driver Ott Tänak, the Toyota factory team also had every reason to celebrate last Sunday in South America. With Elfyn Evans and Kalle Rovanperä finishing third and fourth respectively, Toyota secured the title in the manufacturers’ standings ahead of schedule.
“It was an incredible job to take the title two rounds before the end of the season,” said Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala, praising his team’s work. “It’s the earliest title win we’ve ever taken as Toyota, which shows we did everything right and the drivers did a great job too.”
With its third consecutive manufacturers’ title, Toyota joins an elite club. Only Citroen, Volkswagen, Lancia, Peugeot and Subaru have managed such a title hat-trick in the 50-year history of the World Rally Championship.
Dominant under WRC and Rally1 regulations
“This is [three titles in a row] certainly unique in modern times,” said Latvala. “It’s not easy to achieve something like this and I have to say that the competition is very strong, the cars are very close.”
It is remarkable that Toyota has managed this title series with two different cars. In 2021 still under the old World Rally Car regulations, then in 2022 and 2023 with the hybrid car under Rally1 regulations.
The following figures are also impressive: In the past three seasons, Toyota won 24 out of 36 rallies, and in 2023 only at the Rally Sweden was there no Toyota driver on the podium. On the other hand, there was a quadruple victory at the Safari Rally, with which Toyota repeated the historic success from the previous year.
Reliability the key to success for Latvala
“I think the most important point that made the difference was reliability,” Latvala analyses the secret of success. “We were able to bring the cars home without any problems and I think that is one of the crucial points in the championship. “
Latvala says the team has also made significant progress with one of the few weak points of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. “When the Rally1 came into the World Rally Championship in the 2022 season, of course we were strong, but we noticed our weaknesses especially on hard, rough gravel.”
“We worked on that and improved the car for those conditions. That was really nice to see and I think this continuous development and approach to build better and better cars helped us to win the titles,” said Latvala.
Drivers’ title also goes to a Toyota driver
And there will be another title for Toyota. Because since the Rally Chile it has been clear that only Rovanperä or Evans can become drivers’ world champion. Two rallies before the end of the season, they are separated by 31 points in the overall standings. A maximum of 60 points will still be awarded at the Central Europe Rally and the Rally Japan.
“Of course it’s exciting now because our drivers are still fighting for the title and it’s exciting to see who it will be,” said Latvala. “I would say it’s a relief and a weight off our shoulders because we won the manufacturers’ title. “
