The team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, believes that the engineers did an amazing job on Yaris development for gravel rallies and says that it was fantastic for the team that they won in Mexico.
The Japanese team secured a double podium at Rally Mexico as Sebastien Ogier won this event for a seventh time in his career while Elfyn Evans dropped to third as he lost the battle from Thierry Neuville for the second place of the podium. Moreover, the reigning WRC Champion, Kalle Rovanpera, finished in fourth position overall after losing time in comparison with the frontrunners on Saturday afternoon, because he had a spin in a narrow place of Stage 17 and had to reverse many times due to the fact that he was stuck between the barriers.
Generally, Toyota is struggling on rough gravel rallies, such as Rally Mexico, but its drivers proved that the Yaris has been improved on these conditions after the double podium finish earlier this month. It is noteworthy that the team has won only once in Sardinia since 2021 with Sebastien Ogier breaking the domination of Hyundai there.
"Our development engineers have done an amazing job because we had our doubts coming into this event", Latvala said.
"We didn’t have the performance last year in Greece and Sardinia.
"It was difficult also to have a car for the boys so that they can fight for the victory.
"We have made the right steps in the right direction to get these results.
"It’s fantastic to win and the third place for Elfyn is really good icing on the cake as well.
"Also, Kalle finishing fourth is good for his championship".
Source: wrc.com
Photo Credits: Toyota
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