The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) delivered an exhilarating performance at the recent Rally Chile, achieving a remarkable one-two finish. Kalle Rovanperä claimed victory, followed closely by his teammate Elfyn Evans, marking a significant milestone for the team as they strive to secure their championship ambitions with just two rounds remaining in the season.
Dominating the Event
In an impressive display of skill and teamwork, TGR-WRT not only secured the top two spots but also claimed the top three positions in the Super Sunday classification, solidifying their dominance throughout the rally. The team capped off their successful weekend by posting the fastest two times in the rally-ending Power Stage, amassing a maximum of 55 manufacturers’ points under the new scoring system introduced for 2024. This success allowed TGR-WRT to significantly narrow the points gap to the lead from 35 to just 17 points.
The final day of the rally saw Rovanperä showcasing his prowess on the challenging stages of the Biobío region. After taking the lead from Evans amid heavy fog on Saturday, Rovanperä entered the last day with a 15.1-second advantage, which he managed to extend during the morning’s stages. Despite tough conditions, Rovanperä demonstrated remarkable control, finishing just 0.1 seconds behind Sébastien Ogier in the Power Stage while securing his fourth win of the season alongside co-driver Jonne Halttunen.
Rovanperä’s victory marks his 15th win with TGR-WRT, placing him level with two-time champion Carlos Sainz as the drivers with the most FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) victories for Toyota.
A Strong Comeback for Evans
Elfyn Evans, driving with co-driver Scott Martin, made a commendable return to the podium, marking their fifth top-three finish this season. After initially leading the rally on Friday, Evans faced challenging conditions on Saturday but bounced back strongly. He finished third in the Super Sunday classification and fifth in the Power Stage, further contributing valuable points to the team’s championship efforts.
Despite the adverse conditions, both Evans and Ogier remain mathematically in contention for the drivers’ championship, with a total of 60 points still available in the remaining rounds.
Emerging Talent
Sami Pajari and co-driver Enni Mälkönen rounded out the strong performance for TGR-WRT by finishing sixth in their second event driving the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID. After a promising start on Friday, Pajari displayed a mature and strategic approach throughout the rally, focusing on gaining valuable experience in challenging conditions. His performance not only showcased his potential but also kept him in contention for the WRC2 championship title.
Team Reflections
Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed immense pride in the team’s performance: “This is a great result for our team. A perfect Sunday for the first time this season feels really good, especially after the devastating blows we felt on the final days of the past two events. Our drivers did a magnificent job today pushing until the end of the last stage. This result will boost the whole team and give them extra motivation for the two remaining events.”
Kalle Rovanperä reflected on his win, stating, “This win feels really good for us. It was a tough weekend…but we did a good job. The car was really strong this weekend.” Meanwhile, Elfyn Evans emphasized the importance of the team’s collective effort, praising Rovanperä’s strategy and performance throughout the event.
Sébastien Ogier, despite some setbacks earlier in the rally, noted, “It’s nice to finish the weekend on a positive note…we are going in the right direction, and we will keep on pushing up to Rally Japan.”
Looking Ahead
As the season nears its conclusion, the TGR-WRT is set to face further challenges, with the next event being the Central European Rally from October 17-20. This cross-border event, which debuted in 2023, will test drivers on the demanding roads of Germany, the Czech Republic, and Austria. With the momentum gained from Rally Chile, TGR-WRT aims to continue its strong performance and clinch the manufacturers’ championship title.
Provisional Final Classification, Rally Chile
- Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – 2h58m59.8s
- Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +23.4s
- Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) – +43.9s
- Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) – +1m01.1s
- Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria (Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID) – +2m02.7s
- Sami Pajari/Enni Mälkönen (Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID) – +2m39.7s
Current Standings in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship
Drivers
- Thierry Neuville – 207 points
- Ott Tänak – 178 points
- Sébastien Ogier – 166 points
- Elfyn Evans – 161 points
- Adrien Fourmaux – 140 points
- Kalle Rovanperä – 114 points
Manufacturers
- Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team – 482 points
- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team – 465 points
- M-Sport Ford World Rally Team – 245 points
1As the TGR-WRT looks to capitalize on its recent success, the upcoming events promise to be thrilling as they vie for the championship title.
