Dubai, UAE: The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing (TGR) World Rally Team (WRT) secured a well-deserved victory at the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship’s (WRC) Rally Finland. Sébastien Ogier, along with co-driver Vincent Landais, raced to first place in the No. 17 GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle, marking his first appearance in the FIA WRC’s fastest rally in nearly three years since winning his eighth WRC title. This victory was Ogier’s second at Rally Finland, following a strong podium finish with Landais in Latvia.

Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, commented: “Seb, Vincent, congratulations for the victory! Throughout this season, whenever they have participated in a rally, they have always come back with a win or a second-place finish. The team has truly relied on their consistency, and I really appreciate it. Jari-Matti once again participated as a driver this year. Last year, he competed in Rally1, and he drove Rally2 this year. It’s an important part of the job for the Team Principal at TGR-WRT to personally feel and understand the cars that the drivers are using.”

Toyoda added: “Lastly, I heard that Kaj Lindström, who took on the role of Team Principal this time, was going around the team members from early morning until late at night in place of Jari-Matti. I would like to thank him for taking that responsibility in addition to the role of Sporting Director. The next rally is in a month. We will continue to make efforts towards winning the championship in the remaining four events.”

The No. 17 crew performed strongly throughout the rally, their GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle carrying a unique livery inspired by the Special Edition GR Yaris models they helped launch earlier this year. Following this victory, Ogier joins Sébastien Loeb, Ott Tänak, and Elfyn Evans as the only drivers from outside Finland to win the event more than once.

Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and the Nürburgring 24 ‎Hours endurance race. Toyota’s participation in these events was overseen by separate entities within the company until April 2015, when Toyota established TGR, ‎to consolidate all of its motorsports activities under one in-house brand. Representing ‎Toyota’s belief that ‘the roads build the people, and the people build the cars,’ TGR highlights the role of motorsports as a fundamental pillar of Toyota’s commitment to ‎making ‘ever-better’ cars. Harnessing years of experience gained under the extreme conditions of various motorsports events, TGR aims to forge new technologies and solutions that bring the freedom, adventure, and joy of driving to everyone.

The tenth round of the 2024 FIA WRC is Acropolis Rally in Greece (September 5-8). Its reputation for rocky mountain roads and high temperatures combine to create a tough challenge for vehicles, tyres, and drivers alike.

Race Notes:
● No. 17 GR YARIS Rally1 Hybrid Electric Vehicle (Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais)
o Position: 1st
o Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes, and 41.9 seconds