Toyota Dominates WRC Canarias 2026 as Ogier Leads

WRC, Sportrik Media - Toyota Gazoo Racing asserted clear dominance from the opening special stage on Friday morning at Rally Islas Canarias 2026, with its drivers immediately pulling away from rival manufacturers on asphalt.

Sebastien Ogier, the reigning world champion, leads the rally after eight special stages with an 8.9-second advantage over team-mate Oliver Solberg. Behind them, Sami Pajari, Elfyn Evans, and Takamoto Katsuta complete an all-Toyota top five.

In contrast, drivers from Hyundai Shell Mobis have been unable to match Toyota’s pace. Dani Sordo, Adrien Fourmaux, and Thierry Neuville trail by approximately one minute, highlighting the significant performance gap on Gran Canaria’s asphalt stages.

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Toyota team manager Juha Kankkunen credited the team’s performance to accurate setup direction and a clean execution throughout Friday’s stages.

“We were strong here last year, so we had a good idea of the required setup. The team made no mistakes today and we had no technical issues,” Kankkunen stated.

However, he cautioned that the rally remains unpredictable, referencing previous events where circumstances shifted rapidly.

“Of course, everything can change. In Safari Rally, we lost three cars in a short time. But at the moment, the situation looks good,” he added.

Ogier’s position at the front was not unexpected, given his previous performance at this event. Nevertheless, the gap to Solberg remains relatively small, keeping the intra-team battle open.

Kankkunen highlighted the contrast in experience between the two drivers, noting Ogier’s ability to consistently perform at the highest level.

“Oliver is always fast, but he still needs more experience. Seb has a lot of experience and is very difficult to beat when he is at his best,” he explained.

Notably, Toyota has opted against imposing team orders at this stage of the rally. Kankkunen confirmed that drivers are free to compete directly for position.

“Let them push and decide among themselves who is the best. I will not interfere,” he concluded.

With Toyota establishing a strong early advantage and time gaps still manageable at the front, Saturday’s stages will be critical in determining whether the team can maintain control or face renewed pressure from its rivals.