Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 shines in Rallye Monte-Carlo debut

MANILA: The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team (TGR WRT) capped off the debut event of the new GR Yaris Rally1 with a strong performance, as Sebastian Ogier finished second overall and Kalle Rovanpera finished fourth at Rallye Monte-Carlo.

Ogier had been on track to earn a record-extending ninth victory on the momentous event before a tragic late twist in the exhilarating weekend-long battle for the championship. He suffered a flat front-left tire on the rally’s final stage, and a 24.6-second lead became a 9.5-second deficit as a result of the time lost. Ogier and his new co-driver Benjamin Veillas gave their all in the last stage, finishing just 10.5 seconds behind the winner despite receiving a 10-second penalty for a jump start.

Rovanpera and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen finished fourth, making tremendous strides ahead in pace and confidence in their new vehicle. They earned three stage wins, including the rally’s final Power Stage. Rovanpera is now third in the championship and the leading full-season contender, with Ogier only competing in selected events this year after stepping away from full-time racing.

Elfyn Evans was also in the lead until he skidded off the road on Saturday’s SS11, losing 20 minutes. He focused his sights on earning bonus points in the Power stage on the penultimate day, completing a one-two in the stage for the GR Yaris Rally1.

All three of the team’s drivers bagged stage wins over the weekend, and the GR Yaris Rally1 was the fastest on nine of 17 stages. Although the new Rally1 regulations are more challenging, the car showcased excellent performance and dependability. Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe Vice Chairman Kazuki Nakajima was in Monaco to witness the successful debut of the GR Yaris Rally1.

TGR WRC Challenge Program driver Takamoto Katsuta finished eighth overall in the Rallye Monte-Carlo, setting a pair of top-three stage times on the last day and gaining the first points for the TGR WRT Next Generation.

Photos from Toyota

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