A little over two weeks ago at the Central European Rally, Kankkunen became the first person to win a World Rally Championship title with Toyota both as a driver and as a team principal. Kankkunen celebrated the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles with Toyota back in the 1993 season.
Kankkunen had already enjoyed great popularity in Japan, and this has only been amplified now. Of course, Toyota’s WRC team has its own managers on the operational and technical sides, meaning Kankkunen’s role in daily activities is relatively small. Nevertheless, a merit is always a merit. The legend from Laukaa now holds an even more firmly cemented place in Toyota’s hierarchy.
The 2025 World Rally Championship season will reach its climax in November, first with an event on Toyota’s home turf and then concluding at the brand-new Rally Saudi Arabia at the end of the month.
“Rally Japan is always an exciting and important rally for our team. This year, it’s great to be going there with the manufacturers’ championship secured, and to have the chance to celebrate that with all the Japanese fans,” Kankkunen sums up.
On the drivers’ side, the stakes in Japan are extremely high. Hyundai’s drivers are already out of the title fight, but among Toyota’s trio, a fierce battle for the championship is underway.
“The fight for the drivers’ title is also now incredibly tight between our guys: Elfyn (Evans) has been doing a great job and has won Rally Japan the last two years, but we also know that Seb (Ogier) will be very motivated to bounce back after Central Europe and that Kalle (Rovanperä) is looking very quick on asphalt at the moment.
“I think it’s a rally that any of them could win and it’s going to be exciting for everyone to follow. Of course, it’s also a very special rally for Taka and we hope he too can perform well.”
Rally Japan features a total of 20 special stages, covering just over 305 kilometres. The event begins with the shakedown stage during the night between Thursday and Friday, CET.
