Tribune News Network
Doha
The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) World Rally Team (WRT) secured a well-deserved victory at the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship’s (WRC) Rally Finland. Sebastien Ogier, with co-driver Vincent Landais, emerged winners in the No. 17 GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
The win marks Ogier’s second at Rally Finland and his return to the FIA WRC’s fastest rally after nearly three years.
Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: “Seb, Vincent, congratulations for the victory! Throughout this season, whenever they have participated in a rally, they have always come back with a win or a second-place finish. The team has truly relied on their consistency, and I really appreciate it. Jari-Matti once again participated as a driver this year.
Last year, he competed in Rally1, and he drove Rally2 this year. It’s an important part of the job for the Team Principal at TGR-WRT to personally feel and understand the cars that the drivers are using.”
Abdulghani Nasser Al Abdulghani, Chief Executive Officer of Al Abdulghani Motors, said: “We are proud of Toyota’s achievement on another international front. The GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle’s success in Finland spotlights Toyota’s unwavering commitment to both performance and the environment.
“This reinforces Al Abdulghani Motors’ bond with motorsports enthusiasts and aligns with our dedication to delivering ever-better products and services, as well as creating happiness for our community.”
The No. 17 GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle, featuring a unique livery inspired by the Special Edition GR Yaris models, demonstrated exceptional performance throughout the rally.
Looking ahead, the TGR team will face the Acropolis Rally in Greece (September 5-8), known for its challenging conditions. Toyota remains focused on leveraging its motorsports experience to deliver innovative solutions and enhance the driving experience.
The No. 17 crew performed strongly throughout the rally, their GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle carrying a unique livery inspired by the Special Edition GR Yaris models they helped launch earlier this year.
Following this victory, Ogier joins Sebastien Loeb, Ott Tänak and Elfyn Evans as the only drivers from outside Finland to win the event more than once.
Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nurburgring 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.
The tenth round of the 2024 FIA WRC is Acropolis Rally in Greece (September 5-8). Its reputation for rocky mountain roads and high temperatures combine to create a tough challenge for vehicles, tyres and drivers alike.
