Toyota faced a thrilling battle against Hyundai for the manufacturers’ championship at the season-ending Rally Japan.
The opportunity for Toyota to claim the title arose when Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, who was leading the rally, crashed out on Sunday morning’s opening stage. Toyota seized the chance and secured the championship by a narrow three-point margin over Hyundai.
The title was decided on the Power Stage, where Toyota outscored Hyundai by three points. Rovanperä followed the decisive moments on his smartphone from Las Vegas.
“That’s it! Team champions,” Rovanperä celebrated on his Instagram story.
“Good job, guys,” he added, sending his congratulations to teammates Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier, and Takamoto Katsuta.
Rovanperä was in Las Vegas with friends to attend the F1 race, which began shortly after Toyota’s championship win was confirmed. He witnessed Max Verstappen claim his fourth F1 title in person.
Rovanperä’s co-driver Jonne Halttunen, however, was in Japan on Sunday to support the team. Halttunen joined the celebrations on the podium, spraying champagne in honour of the manufacturers’ championship.
“What a team! It’s a privilege to work with such a professionals and call many of them as friends,” Halttunen said.
Rovanperä and Halttunen competed in half of the season this year, but next year they are set to fight for the championship again with a full-season programme.
This season’s WRC drivers’ world championship was claimed by Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, marking the first title of his career.
