Toyota will need “maximum performance” from its drivers and “a little support” from its drivers. M-Sport Ford to steal Hyundai Motorsport the title of builders of World Rally Championship this Sunday, the last day of classes in Japan.
This year’s championship will be decided at the last moment, because Toyota trails Hyundai by 11 points heading into final five stages of Rally Japanwhich ends this Sunday, November 24.
The Japanese started the weekend 15 points behind their Korean rivals, but a good Saturday where Elfyn Evans finished second, Sébastien Ogier third and Takamoto Katsuta fifth place kept Toyota in the fight. However, Hyundai will be the favorite on Sunday, with Ott Tanak setting the tone throughout the weekend and as leader, leading Evans by 38 seconds.
That’s right, Cyril Abiteboul’s men are fighting for two titles since Tänak and Thierry Neuville They are also competing in the World Drivers’ championship and the Belgian only needs two points on Sunday. to get your first winding.
Toyota team Leader Jari-Matti Latvala, will instruct its pilots to be in full attack modebut is aware that this may not be enough to retain the brand title it has held since 2021.
“It’s not necessarily what we wanted [hoy]” he said to Motorsport.comtaking stock of Saturday. “We think that with Elfyn having put in the performance of the morning, he could challenge Ott further, and if he could have taken the lead it would have been a very interesting position for Sunday.. We managed to take four points more than Hyundai, but getting 11 on Sunday is now a challenge.”
“It’s not impossible, but we’ll need maximum performance from everyone, and maybe a little support from Ford.. Ott drove very well, so we know how strong he is. Our only chance is that Ott and Thierry secure their positions, victory and the drivers’ title. It all depends on the atmosphere with which Hyundai presents itself tomorrow. For us, [la tarea] is clear,” he concluded.
