In the season finale, Toyota is vying for the manufacturers’ championship. Hyundai has already secured the drivers’ championship this year and holds a strong position in the manufacturers’ battle, but Toyota has not yet conceded.
Toyota was 15 points behind Hyundai heading into their home rally. This means Toyota’s drivers must deliver top performances throughout the weekend. Success will require strong results from more than one driver.
The starting position isn’t ideal for Toyota, but Ogier doesn’t approach it with a negative mindset. Quite the opposite, in fact.
“I’m excited to still be in the running for one of the season’s main targets, which was always the manufacturers’ title. It’s not an ideal position, but we’re still in it, and that’s the most important thing,” Ogier reflected.
“We still have the cards in our hands and are not dependent on what others are doing. Of course, we need a nearly perfect result to achieve that, but it’s not impossible,” the French Toyota star added.
A year ago, Toyota achieved perfection in Japan, celebrating a triple podium in the manufacturer’s hometown, Toyota City. A similar result is the goal this time around.
Among Hyundai’s drivers, Ott Tänak will be doing everything he can to outpace the Toyota stars. Meanwhile, his teammate Thierry Neuville is more focused on securing his first drivers world championship.
Neuville’s plan could open the door for Toyota, but the team still has work to do.
“It’s not an easy one – never an easy one at this time of the year. With the leaves in the forest, there are many tricky sections. So it will require us to be really sharp. But again, that’s what drives us this weekend,” Ogier concluded.
Rally Japan kicks into full gear on Friday, with eight special stages scheduled for the day.
