Toyota’s WRC Return

THE 2017 WORLD RALLY CHAMPIOSNHIP GOT underway in Monte Carlo in January. And as is the fashion with many of today’s FIA motorsport series, rallying has come in for a number of technical changes this year in a bid to spice things up on the stages. With reigning champions VW having walked away from the sport, its spot in the manufacturers’ table is taken by Toyota Gazoo Racing, run by multiple world champion Tommi Mäkinen. VW’s departure left world champ Sébastien Ogier unemployed until he found himself in one of Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport Fiestas. And despite losing 40 seconds on the first day and dropping back to ninth, Ford’s new boy cut through the pack to second place, ready to take advantage when rally leader Thierry Neuville broke his Hyundai’s suspension, handing Ford and the Frenchman the victory.

Toyota completed its WRC return with a visit to the podium, with Jari-Matti Latvala finishing second ahead of Ogier’s teammate Ott Tänak. They went one up in the next round in Sweden, with Latvala winning overall and giving Toyota their first WRC victory since 1999, in just the second round after their return.