Riga, Latvia – Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) has once again demonstrated its dominance in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) with a remarkable one-two finish at the inaugural Rally Latvia. The event marked the team’s second consecutive one-two result, as Kalle Rovanperä clinched victory ahead of Sébastien Ogier.
Returning to the high-speed gravel roads where his rally career began, Rovanperä, alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen, led from the very first stage in Riga. Their performance was nothing short of exceptional, with the pair winning 11 out of 14 stages, including recording their 200th career fastest time. This victory is particularly significant for Rovanperä as it marks his 50th WRC start and his 14th career win.
Ogier and his co-driver Vincent Landais, making a strong comeback after missing the previous round in Poland, showcased impressive skill and adaptability. Despite being away from fast European gravel rallies for nearly three years, Ogier secured second place, overtaking the local favorite Mārtiņš Sesks on Saturday. His performance was a key factor in TGR-WRT’s dominant finish.
TGR-WRT’s impressive performance extended beyond the overall standings, with the team earning maximum manufacturers’ points. The one-two result saw them close the gap to Hyundai in the manufacturers’ championship, now trailing by just one point. Despite a narrow loss in the Power Stage by 0.2 seconds, the team’s consistent results throughout the rally positioned them strongly for the rest of the season.
Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin finished fifth overall, navigating challenging road conditions effectively despite being disadvantaged by road position. Their fourth-place finish in the Super Sunday classification brought them closer to the championship leader, reducing the gap to just 13 points. Meanwhile, Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston encountered some difficulties with a minor overshoot affecting their power steering, resulting in a sixth-place finish.
In the WRC2 category, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 secured a double podium finish. Mikko Heikkilä achieved second place, and Sami Pajari took third after an intense battle. Pajari, who has been successful in recent rounds, will debut in the Rally1 category with TGR-WRT at the next event in Finland.
Quotes from the Team:
Akio Toyoda (TGR-WRT Chairman):
“Kalle and Jonne’s consecutive wins are commendable, and Seb and Vincent’s second-place finish is remarkable. This result has significantly narrowed the gap to Hyundai, and I hope our Finnish fans will see us reclaim the top position in Rally Finland.”
Jari-Matti Latvala (Team Principal):
“This event has been outstanding for us. Securing another one-two finish and crucial points has greatly impacted our championship standing. Kalle’s dominance was impressive, and Seb’s performance was a testament to his skill. We look forward to Rally Finland with confidence.”
Kalle Rovanperä (Driver, Car 69):
“It’s been a fantastic weekend, especially winning in Latvia, a special place for me. Thanks to the team for their support. We’re excited for Rally Finland and ready for the challenges ahead.”
Elfyn Evans (Driver, Car 33):
“It was a tough weekend, but we gained valuable points. Falling short in the Power Stage was frustrating, but we’ll focus on improving for Rally Finland.”
Sébastien Ogier (Driver, Car 17):
“I’m pleased with the result. The one-two finish was our goal, and although we missed out on the Power Stage win, it was great to see Kalle’s performance and have fun driving again.”
Takamoto Katsuta (Driver, Car 18):
“It was a challenging rally, and a small mistake cost us time. Nevertheless, the speed and confidence were there, and I’m looking forward to Rally Finland.”
Provisional Final Classification – Rally Latvia:
- Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – 2h31m47.6s
- Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +39.2s
- Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) – +1m04.5s
- Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID) – +1m31.5s
- Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +1m42.7s
- Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +2m07.0s
2024 FIA World Rally Championship Standings (After Round 8):
Drivers’ Championship:
- Thierry Neuville – 145 points
- Ott Tänak – 137
- Elfyn Evans – 132
- Sébastien Ogier – 117
- Adrien Fourmaux – 101
- Kalle Rovanperä – 86
Manufacturers’ Championship:
- Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team – 351 points
- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team – 350
- M-Sport Ford World Rally Team – 177
What’s Next?
Rally Finland, scheduled from August 1-4, promises to be an exciting event with its fast gravel roads and numerous jumps. It will be a home rally for TGR-WRT, and the team will be eager to continue their strong performance.
