Toyota continues to prove its speed, durability, and supremacy in the world of motorsports. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, the brand’s racing department, has been crowned champion of the World Rally Championship (WRC) for the fifth consecutive time, solidifying its position at the pinnacle of rallying.
With Kalle Rovanperä’s victory at the Central European Rally, the 12th rally on the WRC 2025 calendar, Toyota clinched the Manufacturers’ Championship with two races remaining in the season.
Competing in the Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, the duo of Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen completed the Central European Rally in 2 hours, 36 minutes, and 20.1 seconds. Toyota’s other drivers, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin, finished 43.7 seconds behind the leader to secure second place overall, delivering a one-two victory for the team. This achievement also propelled Elfyn Evans into the lead of the Drivers’ Championship. Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston finished fourth, while the pair of Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen finished sixth, contributing to Toyota’s success.
With the victory declared at the Central European Rally, Toyota claimed its ninth overall WRC Manufacturers’ Championship. Furthermore, the GR YARIS Rally1 established unique dominance, securing first place in 11 of the 12 races held in 2025.
Following these results, the championship battle continues between three Toyota drivers in the Drivers’ Championship. Elfyn Evans leads with 247 points, while Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä are tied for second and third, respectively, both with 234 points. TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, having already secured its championship title, maintains its lead in the Manufacturers’ standings with a 172-point advantage over its closest rival.
Commenting after the rally, Team Principal Assistant Juha Kankkunen expressed his pride in the team: “Knowing we finished first and second in the rally and won the Manufacturers’ Championship again brought tears to my eyes. That was my most important goal in this role. After the championships I won as a driver, achieving this success now as a team leader feels like winning a new World Championship. The spirit and atmosphere within the team this year have been extraordinary. Our drivers have also done an excellent job. The point difference between Elfyn, Seb, and Kalle is very small, and the next two rallies will be truly exciting.”
The penultimate rally of the season, the Rally Japan, will be held from November 6-9, marking a home event for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing. The rally will be contested on winding asphalt roads around Toyota City, near Nagoya, centered on the service park located in the mountainous areas of the Aichi and Gifu prefectures.
