The title was decided well before the end of the season, as the team clinched the crown with two rounds still remaining.
Last year, however, the situation was quite different. The manufacturers’ championship was only decided in Toyota’s favour on the final special stage of the season-ending Rally Japan.
In Toyota’s service area, the team had to wait anxiously for Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans to reach the finish. It was nerve-wracking.
“It was close. I mean, the last stages were basically between Seb and Elfyn and we were shitting to our trousers just waiting and waiting,” Toyota team boss Juha Kankkunen chuckled.
Last season, Hyundai was in the fight for the manufacturers’ title until the very end, and that year the drivers’ championship also went Hyundai’s way, as Thierry Neuville finally claimed the crown of his career.
This season, however, Toyota has been dominant in terms of performance. The team has already taken the constructors’ title, and the drivers’ champion will also come from Toyota’s ranks.
“This year, let’s say Hyundai has been a bit unlucky,” Kankkunen said sympathetically.
“their car was not fast enough — especially on asphalt, and not really on gravel either. We were a bit stronger this time than they were. And let’s say the boys just did a good job. There’s nothing else I can say about that,” Kankkunen noted, referring to his drivers.
According to Kankkunen, Toyota’s recipe for success this season has been very simple.
“Everybody gave everything, and that was the key thing,” he summed up.
