For Toyota’s world championship, a large part of the honor belongs to Finland.
Jari-Matti Latvala led Toyota to become the manufacturers’ champion again. Toyota Gazoo Racing
Toyota cleaned the table in this year’s World Rally Championship.
The Japanese brand’s “triple gold” was secured in the Catalunya rally, when the points lead over Hyundai grew unreachably large in the manufacturer’s series. Already before Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen had secured the drivers’ and map readers’ MM titles.
Toyota’s rally team is operated from Finland with strong blue and white forces. Team manager Jari-Matti Latvala In addition also Kaj Lindstöm and Jarmo Lehtinen are an important part of the team’s management duties.
Immediately after securing the championship, Latvala gave a speech of thanks to the employees of the Toyota rally team who were on the spot in Catalonia. Later, the Finn commented on his team’s performance in an interview with WRC.
– As Kalle aptly said in the goal, we have a lot of talented guys working here. But talent alone is not enough in this job. You have to be ready to work hard. Everyone must have a passion for winning. Then the result will come. Thank you to everyone who has worked hard for this championship, Latvala thanked.
There is only one competition left in the World Cup season. It is driven in Japan, Toyota’s home country.
– It was great to reach the manufacturers’ world championship even before the race in Japan. We can now go to Japan with a much more relaxed mind, since the titles are already in our back pocket, Latvala admits.
The end of the season, the success and the home rally spoil the memories of the last race Sunday of the season.
– Maybe we can take the home rally a little more relaxed and have a good time afterwards, Latvala promised.