Toyota GAZOO World Rally Team breakthrough one-two result

A third consecutive World Rally Championship victory by Ott Tänak has led the Toyota GAZOO World Rally Team to a breakthrough one-two result amid the heat and rocky gravel roads in Turkey at the weekend.

Tänak brought the drivers’ and manufacturers’ title fights to life by completing the first WRC hat-trick since 2016, following his recent victories in Finland and Germany.

In a rally of attrition that claimed many of the leading drivers including Toyota’s Esapekka Lappi, Tänak steered clear of trouble to finish 22.3 seconds ahead of teammate Jari-Matti Latvala, whose second place was his best result this year.

It was the first WRC “quinella” for the Toyota GAZOO Racing World Rally Team since Toyota returned to the premier rallying category last year.

Tänak has now moved up to second place in the drivers’ championship within 13 points of the lead while Toyota has advanced to the top of the manufacturers’ standings for the first time with a five-point margin.

Three of the top five placings in the drivers’ championship are now held by Toyota drivers with Tänak (2nd) joined by Lappi in fourth and Latvala who moves up to fifth.

Tänak said it was a difficult rally, but the team knew that winning would require being smart, not necessarily the fastest in the tough conditions.

“We were the most consistent and we managed to do the whole rally without any issues or having to stop on any of the stages,” the Estonian said.

“Obviously, it has been a great team effort and they have been able to build a very strong car. The championship is now wide open, so let’s keep pushing.”

There are three rounds remaining in this year’s season, including Wales and Spain in October ahead of the season finale at Rally Australia from November 15-18.