In Central Europe, Toyota secured a one-two finish, with Kalle Rovanperä taking his second asphalt victory of the season and Elfyn Evans, who has returned to the top of the drivers’ standings, finishing second.
The points Toyota gathered were already enough at this stage to secure the manufacturers’ championship for the team. The title was its fifth in a row.
After the Central European Rally, Kalle Rovanperä was asked what the secret behind Toyota’s success is. The Finn refused to answer that question.
“Well, it’s a secret, so I’m not going to tell you that,” Rovanperä fired back, prompting laughter from everyone around.
Then Rovanperä became a little more serious and gave a long speech praising his team.
“It’s clear that the team is doing an absolutely brilliant job. We have the fastest and most reliable car in all conditions. And as a driver, I can say that our drivers have done their jobs excellently,” said Rovanperä.
Sébastien Ogier has won five rallies this season, Rovanperä three and Evans two. It would be fair to say that everyone has played their part.
“We’ve all won rallies and done a good job. This is a real team effort – that’s exactly what makes results like this possible,” Rovanperä praised.
Rovanperä emphasised that the victories and championships are the result of the entire team’s work. It has been striking how consistently reliable a car Toyota has managed to provide its drivers with year after year.
“Without a good car or a good team around you, you can’t achieve anything. The team has done an excellent job this year, kept everything under control – and rest will follow,” Rovanperä summed up.
