Kalle Rovanperä claimed victory, while Elfyn Evans, who has returned to the top of the World Rally Championship standings, ensured a brilliant one-two finish for the team.
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak finished third, but Toyota’s points tally was already enough at this stage to secure the manufacturers’ title for the team, two rounds before the end of the season.
The manufacturers’ crown was Toyota’s fifth in a row, and the company’s big boss, Akio Toyoda, was naturally very pleased.
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Juha, who has supported the team as the deputy team principal, as well as to the drivers, co-drivers, engineers, mechanics, all the other team members, and of course, the fans. Thank you so much!” Toyoda enthused.
Juha Kankkunen, who once again served as team principal in Central Europe, had already achieved seven manufacturers’ titles during his own rally driving career, but this was the first time he was able to enjoy a championship in a managerial role. Kankkunen also celebrated titles with Toyota during his driving days.
“Including the time when Juha was driving the Celica, this marks our ninth title overall. However, we still haven’t reached Lancia’s records of 10 manufacturers’ titles and six consecutive championships,” Toyoda said.
Lancia is set to make a return to the World Rally Championship next year, meaning that the old rivals will soon face each other once again.
“I saw a post saying that Lancia will return to WRC2 from next year, so I am very excited at the thought of rallying together with the Lancia team. And I imagine that Juha, who has driven a Lancia before, is probably even more excited than I am,” Toyoda beamed.
In addition to the manufacturers’ crown, Toyota is also set to secure the drivers’ championship this season. The contenders are Elfyn Evans, who leads the standings, and Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier, who are level on points just 13 behind him.
And as is Toyota’s custom, they will be allowed to decide the outcome freely among themselves – with the blessing of the big boss himself.
“My feelings toward Rally Japan have not changed since last time. Elfyn, who is pursuing his long-cherished goal of winning a title; Seb, who is aiming for the title despite his part-season programme; and Kalle, who wants to finish his final WRC season as a champion… I just want all of them to enjoy driving to the fullest and I believe in and rely on everyone in the team to create an environment where the drivers can drive comfortably and have fun driving,” Toyoda concluded.
