Akio Toyoda Hails Toyota After 2026 WRC Greece Victory

Akio Toyoda has praised Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT following its victory at the 2026 Acropolis Rally Greece, while revealing that a series of meaningful conversations with Jari-Matti Latvala and Juha Kankkunen have played an important role in strengthening the team's culture.

The victory came courtesy of Sebastien Ogier, who overturned a narrow overnight deficit on the final day to defeat Thierry Neuville in a dramatic finish. Toyota also completed another successful weekend with Takamoto Katsuta securing third place overall.

In his message to the team, Toyoda reserved special praise for Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais after they completed an outstanding Sunday by winning Super Sunday, claiming the Power Stage and collecting the maximum available championship points to move into third in the drivers' standings.

Baca JugaAkio Toyoda Puji Toyota Usai Menang WRC Yunani 2026

"Seb and Vincent – thank you for such a fantastic comeback on the final day! Winning Super Sunday, taking victory on the Power Stage, scoring the maximum points and climbing to third in the championship… that's exactly the Seb and Vincent we all know," Toyoda said.

Toyoda also congratulated Takamoto Katsuta for another podium finish, highlighting the Japanese driver's consistency throughout the first half of the season. Katsuta has now stood on the podium in half of this year's World Rally Championship events, further strengthening Toyota's championship campaign.

The Toyota chairman also reflected on a conversation he shared with Ogier during Rally Japan last season, expressing hope that their discussion may have contributed, even in a small way, to the Frenchman's latest success.

Toyoda then turned his attention to Latvala and Kankkunen, revealing that several conversations with the two former world champions over recent months had been deeply meaningful. He thanked both men for helping build the strong team environment that continues to deliver success for Toyota in the FIA World Rally Championship.

"At Rally Japan I also had the opportunity to have many conversations with Juha and Jari-Matti as well. Those conversations meant a great deal to me. I would once again like to thank those two for helping create such a wonderful team. I hope we will have another chance to sit down and talk somewhere during the second half of the season," he added.

Toyoda concluded his message by revealing that he recently underwent surgery and is currently recovering. He described Toyota's performance in Greece as the best possible medicine during his rehabilitation.

"Actually, I underwent surgery to repair my own 'failure' recently, and I'm still on the road to recovery. The team's awesome performances like this are the best medicine I could ask for. Thank you very much, everyone on the team!" Toyoda concluded.