A Thrilling Victory for Sébastien Ogier
In a spectacular and dramatic finale, Sébastien Ogier has claimed victory for the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) at their home event, Rally Finland. This victory is particularly significant, marking Ogier’s second win at Rally Finland and his first since 2013. Alongside co-driver Vincent Landais, Ogier delivered a strong performance, showcasing his remarkable skill and resilience on the fast gravel roads of Finland.
Friday’s Close Contest
The rally kicked off with an intense contest on Friday, where the top three drivers from TGR-WRT’s five-car Rally1 lineup were in close competition. Local hero Kalle Rovanperä initially pulled ahead, showing promise for his first home victory and a third consecutive win. However, the rally took a dramatic turn on the penultimate stage on Sunday when Rovanperä’s car hit a large rock, causing a crash. Fortunately, both Rovanperä and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen were unhurt, a testament to the strength of the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID.
Ogier’s Return to Glory
Ogier’s performance was particularly notable as it was his first appearance in the FIA World Rally Championship’s fastest rally in nearly three years. The contest between Ogier and Rovanperä was nail-bitingly close, with just 0.1 seconds separating them over the 32.98 kilometers of the legendary Ouninpohja stage on Saturday morning. Ogier’s victory not only elevated him to second place in the drivers’ championship, just 27 points from the lead but also solidified his position as one of the few non-Finnish drivers to win Rally Finland more than once, joining the ranks of Sébastien Loeb, Ott Tänak, and Elfyn Evans.
Challenges and Triumphs for the Team
Elfyn Evans, another strong contender from TGR-WRT, faced his own set of challenges. Running in second place on Saturday morning, Evans’ championship hopes were dashed when a damaged driveshaft caused him to drop out of the points positions. Despite a valiant effort to recover points on the final day, he unfortunately crashed out at the start of the penultimate stage. Thankfully, Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin were unharmed.
Rising Finnish talents Sami Pajari and Enni Mälkönen made a significant impact, finishing fourth on their Rally1 debut. Despite picking up damage early on Friday, Pajari recovered to secure a maiden WRC stage win and was third quickest on Saturday, trailing only Rovanperä and Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta also showcased impressive resilience, recovering from damage on Friday to win each of the last two stages on Sunday, including the rally-ending Power Stage.
Reflections from Team Principal and Chairman
Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala, who finished second in WRC2 and sixth overall, praised the team’s efforts and highlighted the valuable feedback gathered from the new-for-2024 Rally2 car. TGR-WRT Chairman Akio Toyoda expressed deep gratitude to all the colleagues who made the event possible, reflecting on the team’s growth and success over the years. Toyoda also congratulated Ogier and Landais for their consistent performance throughout the season, emphasizing the team’s reliance on their consistency.
Looking Forward
The Rally Finland concluded with a mixed but ultimately positive outcome for TGR-WRT. While the team faced significant challenges, the victories and strong performances from drivers like Ogier and Pajari underscored the team’s resilience and competitive spirit. As the team prepares for the upcoming Acropolis Rally in Greece, they remain focused on reclaiming the top spot in the manufacturers’ standings and continuing their pursuit of championship success.
Provisional Final Classification, Rally Finland
- Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – 2h25m41.9s
- Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) – +40.1s
- Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID) – +1m14.1s
- Sami Pajari/Enni Mälkönen (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +1m54.5s
- Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – +8m15.5s
- Jari-Matti Latvala/Juho Hänninen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – +8m54.5s
- Lauri Joona/Janni Hussi (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) – +9m29.4s
- Mikko Heikkilä/Kristian Temonen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – +9m32.0s
- Nikolay Gryazin/Konstantin Aleksandrov (Citroën C3 Rally2) – +9m51.2s
- Georg Linnamäe/James Morgan (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2) – +10m07.0s
- Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +51m44.8s
The next challenge awaits TGR-WRT at the Acropolis Rally in Greece from September 5-8, a legendary event known for its tough, rocky mountain roads and high temperatures. The team is determined to face these challenges head-on and continue their pursuit of rallying excellence.
