Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Group scored an excellent victory and double podium end on the return of Rally México yesterday (20 March) Sébastien Ogier grew to become the undisputed grasp of the demanding gravel occasion with a report seventh win.
In what was the FIA World Rally Championship’s first journey to the high-altitude levels within the mountains above León since 2020, and thus the primary of the Rally1 period, the GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid carried out strongly to lock out three of the highest 4 positions in an exciting conclusion. Behiond Ogier, Elfyn Evans completed third and Kalle Rovanperä fourth.
Having led from the primary stage of Saturday morning, Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais got here into Sunday’s finale with a lead of 35.8 seconds, a cushion that allowed them to take a secure method to the morning’s levels – which included the longest of the weekend, the 22-mile-long Otates. Ogier then delivered an unbelievable efficiency to seal the victory with the quickest time on the rally-ending Energy Stage, securing a most rating that places him high of the championship standings by three factors – regardless that he has solely contested two of the three occasions held to date.
This newest report damaged by Ogier (who had claimed TGR-WRT’s first Mexico win three years in the past) comes after he additionally set a brand new benchmark for the variety of wins on Rallye Monte-Carlo together with his ninth triumph, in January. It additionally continues the nice begin to his collaboration with Landais, who was competing in Mexico for the primary time.
The crew got here agonisingly near securing a one-two end, with Evans lacking out on second place by simply 0.4 seconds on the ultimate stage to Thierry Neuville (Hyundai). Evans and co-driver Scott Martin started the day nicely, beating their rivals to the quickest time in Otates to strengthen their grip on second. After sustaining suspension injury they carried out roadside repairs that allowed them to maintain up the combat, however they’d finally should accept the third step of the rostrum.
Rovanperä and Halttunen took away extra sturdy factors for his or her championship defence in fourth place, having ended Friday already a minute off the lead after having to successfully clear a path by way of the free gravel levels. Rovanperä pushed exhausting within the Energy Stage seeking bonus factors and set the fourth-fastest time after a large second broken the rear wing of his automotive. He’s now third within the standings, 4 factors behind Ogier.
Takamoto Katsuta reached the end of his first ever Rally Mexico, driving a fourth GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid with the assist of the TGR WRC Problem Program. He and co-driver Aaron Johnston returned to motion underneath restart guidelines on Saturday after a spin had taken them off the highway on Friday.
Group quotes.
Jari-Matti Latvala (Group Principal)
“That is a tremendous end result for us. Final 12 months we have been fairly far off the tempo on scorching and tough gravel rallies like this one, and everyone had doubts about how we’d handle right here in Mexico. However all of the work that our improvement engineers did earlier than this occasion has turned that round in order that we had the automotive to win the rally and the Energy Stage. I’m so glad and happy with the crew. There have been so many feelings in that final stage and what Seb was in a position to do by profitable the stage was unbelievable. Elfyn was barely unfortunate proper on the finish, however being again on the rostrum offers him confidence for the longer term. Kalle did a very good job too, desirous about the championship and the factors.”
Kalle Rovanperä (driver automotive 69)
“It has not been a straightforward weekend for us. We misplaced out on Friday after we have been type of opening the highway after which we have been a bit behind within the combat for the remainder of the weekend. I hoped we might get some extra factors from the Energy Stage; we have been pushing actually exhausting and tried every part we might, however we misplaced the rear wing going vast in a single nook and after that I couldn’t actually push a lot with out that downforce. However to complete fourth general from our beginning place offers us some first rate factors. Congratulations to Seb who did a fantastic job this weekend.”
Elfyn Evans (driver automotive 33)
“We had a reasonably good begin to the ultimate day, however sadly simply close to the tip of the lengthy stage we picked up some injury to a suspension arm. We might perform a restore on the highway part, however I felt I needed to try to take care with it by way of the final two levels, and we weren’t fairly in a position to hold Thierry at bay. It was very shut in the long run however not fairly sufficient. General although it has been a stable weekend. I feel we had the pace to complete second and the constructive factor is that we’re again on the rostrum after what seems like a very very long time. So I’m glad for that and likewise now with the sensation within the automotive on gravel.”
Sébastien Ogier (driver automotive 17)
“It has been a tremendous weekend and I’m very glad to take this victory. We got here right here with a transparent aim to win this rally. The automotive was nice this weekend; it was a faultless weekend for us and a robust weekend for the crew, so thanks to them for making this potential. When you find yourself taking 30 factors it’s actually an ideal end result. We had nice tempo after we wanted it, and nice administration too when it was required. It’s not simple when it’s good to handle a spot like that and I feel at present was the hardest loop of the weekend. I might afford to lose a little bit of time however it was essential to remain targeted. I felt I needed to go for it within the Energy Stage as a result of I really like that stage, and it’s essential to attain the factors, additionally for the crew. Data and numbers are at all times good and naturally I’m happy with them, however a very powerful factor for me is that this victory.”
Akio Toyoda (TGR-WRT Chairman)
“‘Rally Mexico is an particularly tough occasion.’ That is what has been at all times in our minds in TGR. Seb received the occasion three years in the past, however nonetheless we couldn’t shake off the apprehension of engine bother earlier than driving in Mexico in excessive temperatures and at excessive altitude. This time, within the first Rally Mexico after three years, Seb and our associate, Denso, helped us overcome such issues.
Seb, congratulations in your newest consecutive win in Mexico. Vincent, congratulations in your first victory there.
Again in 2017, our first 12 months with Yaris WRC, Denso’s radiator crew noticed us combating warmth administration and began to present us assist. Since then, they’ve continued to enhance the cooling efficiency. This was the primary Rally Mexico with the GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID, however I feel the crews have been in a position to drive with confidence within the engine due to Denso’s ‘Rei-kyaku Damashii’ – the particular identify for his or her devotion to cooling, or ‘Cooling Spirit’. I wish to categorical my appreciation for his or her sturdy assist and partnership with us.
Elfyn, Scott, congratulations on the primary podium this season. It was a disgrace to drop one place within the remaining stage, however I feel he nearly discovered the final piece that he has been in search of. The entire crew will proceed ever-better automotive making for Elfyn.
For Kalle and Jonne, it looks as if the occasions proceed to be trials for our defending champions, however I’m positive they are going to proceed to take pleasure in rallying with out speeding.
Takamoto and Aaron can be effective too, so long as Taka doesn’t rush and retains believing in his driving. I at all times wish to see his relaxed face which I noticed in Japan earlier this month.
Lastly, I wish to thank the members of Toyota Mexico who gave a pleasant reward to the crew. I noticed Jari-Matti and the mechanics sporting masks like wrestlers on the crew’s social media. Perhaps that was one of many causes behind the win, because the crew was in a position to loosen up with the distinctive reward.
Due to all that assist, we will now utterly cease feeling that we’re not good at Rally Mexico
PROVISIONAL FINAL CLASSIFICATION, RALLY MÉXICO
1 Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) 3h16m09.4s
2 Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID) +27.5s
3 Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) +27.9s
4 Kalle Rovanperä/Jonne Halttunen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid) +1m55.3s
5 Dani Sordo/Cándido Carrera (Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Hbrid) +2m58.8s
6 Gus Greensmith/Jonas Andersson (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +12m31.5s
7 Emil Lindholm/Reeta Hämäläinen (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +13m04.4s
8 Oliver Solberg/Elliott Edmondson (Škoda Fabia RS Rally2) +13m37.7s
9 Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Ford Puma Rally1 Hybrid) +15m19.6s
10 Kajetan Kajetanowicz/Maciej Szczepaniak (Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo) +15m56.6s
(Outcomes as of 15:00 on Sunday, for the most recent outcomes please go to www.wrc.com)
What’s subsequent?
The Croatia Rally, 20-23 April, is the primary pure asphalt spherical of the season, held on difficult roads across the capital metropolis, Zagreb. In addition to a mixture of quick and extra technical sections, the levels function fixed floor and grip modifications.
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