TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is gearing up for round 11 of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship in Rally Chile. After facing some challenges in the previous Acropolis Rally Greece, the team is determined to come back stronger in South America. The team’s drivers, including Kalle Rovanperä, Elfyn Evans, and Sébastien Ogier, are all set to compete and earn valuable points for the manufacturers’ championship.
Rovanperä and Ogier, both world champions, have each secured three rally wins this year. Despite their recent setbacks in Finland and Greece, they are eager to showcase their skills in Chile. Evans is also looking to bounce back after facing some difficulties in the past few events.
The team is excited to have rising star Sami Pajari back in the GR YARIS Rally1 HYBRID for his second outing in Chile. Pajari impressed in his debut in Rally Finland, finishing fourth overall and even winning a stage. The team is focused on nurturing young talent and helping Pajari gain more experience on the diverse gravel roads of Chile.
Rally Chile returned to the WRC calendar last year after a four-year hiatus, with the rally taking place in Concepción, around 500 kilometers south of Santiago. The challenging gravel roads in the Biobío region offer a mix of technical and fast sections with varying road surfaces.
The rally will kick off with a familiar loop of three stages on Friday, followed by more stages across the Biobío River on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will be the longest day of the rally, with 139.2 competitive kilometers to cover. The team will need to pay attention to tire wear, especially in dry conditions.
In addition to the main event, the GR Yaris Rally2 will participate in a WRC2 round outside of Europe for the first time. Spanish driver Jan Solans, a previous winner in Portugal, will be representing the team in Chile.
Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala is determined to keep pushing for victories in the remaining rounds of the season. The team is motivated to perform well in Chile, with a strong driver lineup and a well-prepared car. The team is confident that the fast and flowing stages in Chile will suit their drivers and give them a competitive edge.
Drivers like Rovanperä, Evans, Ogier, and Pajari are all looking forward to the challenges that Rally Chile will bring. They are eager to showcase their skills, learn from past experiences, and push for a positive outcome at the end of the weekend.
Overall, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is ready to take on Rally Chile and fight for a strong result as they continue their championship battle in the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship.