Latest news with #TGRWRT
Al Bawaba
06-08-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Clinches Historic 1–2–3–4–5 Finish at Rally Finland
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) achieved a sensational result at Rally Finland, completing a remarkable clean sweep of the top five positions. Kalle Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen, secured their first victory on their home turf in spectacular fashion, leading an unprecedented 1-2-3-4-5 finish for dominant performance by the No. 69 GR YARIS Rally1 crew saw them command the event from the very first forest stage. Rovanperä's victory also set a new record for the fastest rally in FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) history, maintaining an average speed of 129.95kph across four days of flat-out Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: 'Congratulations to all the crews for this 1-2-3-4-5 finish! We were able to return the favour to the people of our hometown, Jyväskylä, with this fantastic result. I really appreciate everyone in the team for making this happen!'Toyoda added: 'Congratulations to Kalle and Jonne on their first victory in their home country! I'm truly happy that they were finally able to show the winning trophy to the local fans. Congratulations to the local heroes! There are five more rallies left this season, and we will work together as a team to build cars that let our drivers enjoy driving more than ever before!'The No. 18 crew of Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston secured a strong second place, marking Katsuta's second podium finish in the last three editions of Rally Finland. The pair delivered a consistently fast and error-free performance to finish 39.2 seconds behind the winners.Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais rounded out the podium in third place, with the No. 17 GR YARIS Rally1, after a closely fought battle with teammates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin, who finished fourth. Evans' solid performance also elevated him back into the lead of the drivers' championship standings with 176 points, closely followed by Rovanperä and Ogier with 173 and 163 points, the historic Toyota lockout was local rising star Sami Pajari and co-driver Marko Salminen, who claimed fifth overall with an impressive performance that included three stage wins and a composed, mature drive throughout the remarkable result represents only the second time in WRC history that a single manufacturer has occupied all top five positions, an achievement not seen since 1990. With its eighth victory in nine rallies this season, Toyota further extends its commanding lead in the manufacturers' championship by 87 points, with a staggering total of 458 on the the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota's participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota's belief that 'the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,' TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota's commitment to making 'ever-better' cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to next round of the 2025 FIA WRC is Rally Paraguay, taking place from 28–31 August, marking the championship's first-ever visit to the South American nation, followed by Rally Chile a fortnight Notes:• No. 69 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen)• Position: 1st• Time: 2 hours, 21 minutes, and 51.4 seconds• No. 18 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston)• Position: 2nd• Time: 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 30.6 seconds• No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais)• Position: 3rd• Time: 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 36.5 seconds• No. 33 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin)• Position: 4th• Time: 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 39.5 seconds• No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen)• Position: 5th • Time: 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 10.2 seconds
Al Bawaba
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Secures Podium Finish at Acropolis Rally Greece
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) has braved turbulent roads, twisting mountain trails, and searing ambient temperatures to claim a hard-fought podium finish at Acropolis Rally Greece. Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais secured second place in their No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, their performance helping the team maintain its drivers' championship lead and Toyota its 65-point manufacturers' championship rough, rocky terrain and temperatures exceeding 40°C posed a significant challenge for TGR-WRT and the GR YARIS Rally1. The early stages west of Athens were especially demanding, with loose stones and step-like bedrock testing the car's durability, while the narrow, twisting mountain roads in the final legs left no room for error. Ogier maintained a leading pace despite running second on the road during the first day, helping clear a racing line while still delivering competitive on that performance, he and co-driver Landais began the final leg 43.6 seconds behind the leader and mounted a determined push, clocking the fastest times in both the penultimate test and the rally-ending Power Stage. The result saw them top the final-day classification and earn 10 bonus points, in addition to 17 for securing second place the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota's participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota's belief that 'the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,' TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota's commitment to making 'ever-better' cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to 8 of the 2025 FIA WRC is Rally Estonia (July 17–20), which returns to the calendar after a one-year absence. The event features high-speed gravel stages around Tartu, Estonia's second-largest city and the rally's central hub, combining wide and narrow sections with a predominantly soft, sandy Notes:• No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais)• Position: 2nd • Time: 4 hours, 12 minutes, and 52.9 seconds
Al Bawaba
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Clinches Double-Podium Win at Rally Italia Sardegna
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) has maintained its 100 percent winning record in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season with a first- and third-place finish at Rally Italia Sardegna. Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais battled through to the final stage to claim victory in the No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. With his fifth victory at the event, Sébastien Ogier becomes its most successful driver since the FIA World Rally Championship began visiting Sardinia in 2004. This also marks his third win from four starts this Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen once again secured a double podium finish by placing third in the No. 69 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. TGR-WRT continues to dominate the top three positions in the drivers' championship, while Toyota has extended its lead in the manufacturers' standings to 69 Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: 'For us, TGR-WRT, Sardinia is truly a tough event. This year, we had a close call in the Power Stage, and Seb redeemed himself! It's a wonderful fifth victory for him in Sardinia. I am very thankful to Seb and Vincent. The team experienced several issues, but I'm also happy that all five cars completed the rally without any retirements and made it back to the finish. Being challenged on such a tough road helps us become stronger. And TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will continue to make ever-better cars as we overcome obstacles one by one through rally stages.'This year's edition of the Italian island event lived up to its reputation, with ambient temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius and rough, rocky roads pushing drivers, vehicles, and tires to their limits. Despite this, Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais delivered a strong performance to seize a narrow lead in the final stage of the opening battle for victory intensified during the penultimate day, with Ogier engaging in a close contest. He carried an 11.1-second lead into the final day, which featured a pair of new stages run twice. Ogier extended his advantage in the morning after setting the fastest time in the opening stage. A brief scare came in the Power Stage when a half-spin towards a tree forced him to reverse in deep ruts, but he recovered to seal victory by 7.9 Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen completed a double podium for the team with a third-place finish. After running second on the road during the opening day, they maintained consistent pace and avoided issues, saving their best for the rally-ending Power Stage, which they won by 8.1 seconds to also top the Super Sunday the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota's participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota's belief that 'the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,' TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota's commitment to making 'ever-better' cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to 7 of the 2025 FIA WRC is the Acropolis Rally in Greece (June 26–29), which completes a trio of demanding gravel events in southern Europe. This legendary event has a reputation for its rocky mountain roads and high Notes:• No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais)• Position: 1st• Time: 3 hours, 34 minutes, and 24.5 seconds● No. 69 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen)• Position: 3rd • Time: 3 hours, 35 minutes, and 15 seconds
Al Bawaba
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Al Bawaba
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Ascend the Podium Once More at Rally de Portugal
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) is celebrating its sixth successive Rally de Portugal victory since 2019 and an unbroken streak of five wins in the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season. Sébastien Ogier, alongside co-driver Vincent Landais, conquered 24 punishing gravel stages across northern and central Portugal in the No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 to take first place. This victory also marks Ogier's record-breaking seventh win in the country. Teammates Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen added to the team's dominance with a strong third-place finish in the No. 69 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. TGR-WRT now holds the top three positions in the drivers' championship, while Toyota has extended its lead in the manufacturers' standings to 55 points. Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: 'Congratulations to Seb and Vincent for winning Rally Portugal for the second year in a row! It was a rally where we were all impressed once again by Seb's adaptability. This was Seb's first gravel rally in a long while, and his first event with the Hankook gravel tyres. Moreover, he had only one day of testing in the rain prior to the rally.' Toyoda added: 'I'm also very grateful to all the engineers and mechanics who immediately responded to Seb's feedback. His feedback gave new insights to everyone, and the whole team became even stronger. There are six more gravel rounds coming including Rally Finland, which is an important home event for us. We hope to make use of what we learned here in Portugal and drive our new silver-coloured GR YARIS Rally1 through the summer gravel rallies that await us from here on!' Rally de Portugal was the first of three consecutive hot and rugged gravel events in southern Europe that put vehicles, tires, and drivers to the test. The first full day of the rally was one of the longest of the season so far, featuring 10 stages interrupted only by two brief remote service halts. Ogier and co-driver Landais ended the day in second place, just seven seconds off the lead. Ogier engaged in a close battle the following day with the leader and took control after his rival was slowed by an issue during the rough afternoon stages. Ogier then carefully managed his advantage through a relatively long final day to ultimately seal victory by 8.7 seconds. Rovanperä and Halttunen completed a double podium for the team with a third-place finish. They also claimed second place in the Super Sunday classification and third in the Power Stage, earning valuable additional points toward the championship. Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race. Toyota's participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing Toyota's belief that 'the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,' TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota's commitment to making 'ever-better' cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone. Round 6 of the 2025 FIA WRC calendar takes the championship to Rally Italia Sardegna (June 5-8). Known for its fast yet narrow gravel stages lined with exposed rocks and roadside trees, the rally presents constant challenges for drivers. High temperatures and the event's abrasive surfaces place significant stress on both vehicles and tyres. Race Notes:No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais)Position: 1st Time: 3 hours, 48 minutes, and 35.9 seconds
