Toyota stands on the verge of history in the World Rally Championship. The Japanese manufacturer needs just seven points at Rally Chile to clinch this year's manufacturers' title and equal Lancia's all-time record of ten championships.
With a massive 173-point lead over Hyundai in the manufacturers' standings, Toyota's position is virtually untouchable. The only scenario that could delay the celebrations is if all three of their points-scoring drivers – Elfyn Evans, Oliver Solberg, and Sebastien Ogier – fail to finish, while Hyundai takes maximum points. Given Toyota's consistency this season, that seems highly unlikely.
“I'm always ready, but we need to get some kind of result here,” said Juha Kankkunen, Toyota's acting team principal, as quoted by RallyJournal. The Finn is not taking anything for granted, even though the math heavily favors his team.
Toyota has scored at least 40 points at every WRC round this season. Only two complete blanks have been recorded: Sami Pajari's Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 and M-Sport Ford, both at the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo. That statistic underlines Toyota's remarkable reliability and speed.
For Toyota, the manufacturers' crown means more than the drivers' title. It signifies the strength of the entire team, from strategy to car reliability. However, Kankkunen revealed that any celebration will not happen immediately in Chile. “We haven't decided yet. It could be that we move the party back to Finland when we get back to the base, because some people are leaving already on Sunday evening, some on Monday morning, and some will come back on Tuesday. It would be quite difficult to organise it here,” he explained.
Once Toyota secures the title, they will have ten manufacturers' championships, level with Lancia at the top of the all-time standings. That carries special significance for Kankkunen, who won titles with both manufacturers during his driving career. “I did four with Lancia as well. Let's see how it goes. But I quite trust that we can do something to get enough points,” he said.
Rally Chile kicks off on Friday with six special stages on the opening day. The challenge is far from over, but Toyota knows exactly what they need to do: finish safely and bring home the points.
Baca Juga
Elfyn Evans berharap hujan turun di Reli Chile untuk mengurangi kesulitan sebagai pembuka jalan. Ia waspadai ban dan kondisi jalan yang keras.
Takamoto Katsuta tercepat di shakedown Rally Chile 2025, unggul 2,4 detik atas Adrien Fourmaux. Simak analisis lengkap dan dampaknya bagi persaingan WRC.
Kalle Rovanpera mewujudkan mimpi drifting di jalanan Jyvaskyla dengan Toyota Supra dalam video Dream Run, proyek setahun penuh dukungan Kota Jyvaskyla.
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