TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) has delivered a historic performance at the 2026 Rally Sweden, sweeping the top four positions in what was the second consecutive round podium lockout for the manufacturer. Elfyn Evans, alongside co-driver Scott Martin, claimed his third Swedish victory and second in a row at the WRC’s only pure winter rally, leading an emphatic 1-2-3-4 result that underscores Toyota’s growing dominance in the early season.
Following a stunning 1-2-3 finish at Rallye Monte-Carlo last month, Toyota became the first manufacturer to secure back-to-back podium sweeps since Citroën achieved the feat in 2010. The last time a team accomplished consecutive wins at the opening two rounds of a season was Audi in 1984, making this achievement a rare milestone in WRC history.
Evans and Katsuta Battle in Snowy Showdown
The rally saw Evans and team-mate Takamoto Katsuta engaged in an intense battle reminiscent of last year’s Sweden showdown. Evans initially ceded the lead to Katsuta late on Friday amid challenging snow conditions, running second on the road. By Saturday, however, Evans regained the initiative, building a 13.3-second lead heading into the final leg. Both drivers claimed a stage win each during Sunday’s double pass of the Västervik stage, but Evans secured victory by 14.3 seconds, narrowly losing the Power Stage by just 0.1 seconds yet scoring a commanding 34 points to take the championship lead.
Katsuta, guided by co-driver Aaron Johnston, once again demonstrated his mastery of fast, snow-covered roads, finishing second and marking his eighth Rally Sweden podium. Young Finnish talent Sami Pajari, rebounding from a difficult Monte-Carlo, impressed with a third-place finish alongside co-driver Marko Salminen, capturing his second career WRC podium. Rally Sweden native Oliver Solberg, leading the championship into the event, overcame a challenging opening day to finish fourth with co-driver Elliott Edmondson, rounding out Toyota’s historic 1-2-3-4 result.
Italian driver Lorenzo Bertelli made a spirited return through the TGR-WRT customer programme, navigating the GR Yaris Rally1 to a 15th-place finish alongside co-driver Simone Scattolin despite early tyre damage.
WRC2 Action Highlights GR Yaris Rally2
In the WRC2 category, Toyota customer teams also excelled, claiming a one-two finish. Roope Korhonen and co-driver Anssi Viinikka took victory in their Rautio Motorsport-entered GR Yaris Rally2, narrowly ahead of Teemu Suninen and Janni Hussi in a Delta Rally-prepared car.
Team Leadership Reacts
TGR-WRT Chairman Akio Toyoda celebrated the performance: “Elfyn, Scott, congratulations on becoming the snow rally champions for two years in a row! This year’s Sweden had a big difference: the performance of the young drivers. Thanks to Sami in third and Oliver in fourth, we achieved the 1-2-3-4 finish. I’m sure Oliver may feel disappointed, but experiencing such adversity will help him in the future. For Sami, this podium gives confidence, and Takamoto will return stronger for the next rally. Everyone worked hard in severe cold conditions, and I hope the team stays healthy for Kenya.”
Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala echoed the praise: “We’re really happy with this 1-2-3-4 result. Our drivers fought closely and brought the cars home without major mistakes. Elfyn is performing at an amazing and consistent level, Taka drove well despite some frustration, Sami regained his confidence, and Oliver delivered strong points after a tough start.”
Drivers Reflect
Evans: “It’s been a great weekend. The car has been amazing, and pushing until the end was worth it. It’s a great start to the year, but still early days.”
Solberg: “I hoped for more at my home rally, but fourth is probably the best I deserve. There’s been a lot of learning, and the support has been amazing.”
Katsuta: “This is a great result. Elfyn was so strong and deserves the win. I look forward to pushing harder next time, especially in Kenya.”
Pajari: “I’m really happy to be back on the podium. The team’s support after Monte-Carlo made a big difference, and now we need to keep pushing for better results.”
Provisional Final Classification, Rally Sweden
- Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1) – 2h35m53.1s
- Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1) – +14.3s
- Sami Pajari/Marko Salminen (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1) – +46.0s
- Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1) – +1m11.6s
Toyota GAZOO Racing leads the manufacturers’ championship with 117 points, establishing a commanding position early in the season.
Looking Ahead to Safari Rally Kenya
The WRC now moves to the legendary Safari Rally Kenya on March 12-15. Known for its grueling terrain, rocky roads, and high-speed plains, the only African round promises a dramatic contrast to Sweden’s snow, testing the teams’ resilience and adaptability as Toyota aims to continue its remarkable run.
This weekend, Toyota didn’t just win a rally—they made history, cementing their position as the team to beat in the 2026 WRC season.
