Toyota has become only the sixth manufacturer to win three consecutive World Rally Championship (WRC) manufacturers' titles, joining Lancia, Subaru, Citroën, Peugeot and Volkswagen in the series' fiercely competitive modern era.
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The Japanese brand sealed its seventh WRC manufacturers' title and third in a row at Rally Chile after defeating rival Hyundai with two rounds of the season remaining. Elfyn Evans led home the trio of GR Yaris' in third ahead of drivers' title rival Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta, who finished fifth.
Toyota's success is even more remarkable given that it only returned to the WRC in 2017 after a 17-year hiatus. The team quickly established itself as a frontrunner, winning its first manufacturers' title in 2018 and its first drivers' title with Ott Tänak in 2019.
The 2023 season has been Toyota's most dominant yet, with the team winning seven of the first ten rallies. Rovanperä has led the drivers' championship from start to finish, and is on course to become the youngest-ever WRC champion.
Toyota's success is due to a number of factors, including its strong driver line-up, its well-developed GR Yaris Rally1 car, and its experienced and professional team management.
Driver line-up
Toyota has one of the most impressive driver line-ups in the WRC, with Rovanperä, Evans and Katsuta all capable of winning rallies.
Rovanperä is a rising star in the sport, and is considered to be one of the most talented drivers of his generation. He has won five rallies this season, and is on course to become the youngest-ever WRC champion.
Evans is a more experienced driver, and is a two-time WRC runner-up. He has won two rallies this season, and has been consistently quick throughout the year.
Katsuta is still in the early stages of his WRC career, but he has shown great promise this season. He has finished in the top five on four occasions, and is close to winning his first WRC rally.
GR Yaris Rally1 car
The GR Yaris Rally1 car has been one of the quickest and most reliable cars in the WRC this season. It is based on the road-going GR Yaris, but has been heavily modified for competition.
The car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged hybrid engine that produces around 500bhp. It is also equipped with a four-wheel drive system and a sophisticated suspension system.
The GR Yaris Rally1 car has been developed by a team of engineers and technicians at Toyota's Gazoo Racing facility in Cologne, Germany. The team has worked tirelessly to improve the car's performance and reliability, and their efforts have paid off handsomely.
Team management
Toyota's team management is also one of the most experienced and professional in the WRC. Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala is a former WRC driver and has a wealth of experience in the sport.
Latvala is supported by a team of experienced engineers and technicians, who are responsible for the development and preparation of the GR Yaris Rally1 cars.
Toyota's team management has created a positive and supportive environment for its drivers and staff. This has been a key factor in the team's success over the past three years.
Conclusion
Toyota's achievement in winning three consecutive WRC manufacturers' titles is a remarkable one. The team has overcome a number of challenges, including the introduction of new hybrid cars in 2022, to become the dominant force in the WRC.
Toyota's success is a testament to the hard work and dedication of its drivers, engineers, technicians and team management. The team is now the benchmark in the WRC, and will be difficult to beat in the years to come.