Team orders have been a controversial topic throughout the history of motorsport, but at the same time, they have always been a very integral part of the sport.
However, Toyota has long gone against the current in this regard. The team has consistently stated that its drivers are completely free to compete against each other.
After the Central European Rally, both Kaj Lindström and Juha Kankkunen once again assured that the team’s three championship-contending drivers — Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä — are free to decide among themselves who will become this season’s world champion.
Evans finds almost entirely positive aspects in his team’s policy.
“I think it gives you a lot of freedom,” said Evans.
“I think it gives us an easy life, let’s say, being part of this team in a way. Nothing is a fight. Everything is open — we share everything. And that, I think, has been a key part in building the success of the team, because I think we move forward faster like that as a team,” Evans continued.
Toyota’s culture has worked well. The team has already won five manufacturers’ world titles. Naturally, there is no reason to change a system that works.
“I do think that’s a really key strength of this team: that we can all work together well and openly, and that really helps push forward the development of the car,” Evans concluded.
