Elfyn Evans has seized the lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC) standings, setting the stage for a dramatic finish as three Toyota drivers are now separated by just 13 points with two races remaining.
Evans, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing, secured second place at the Central European Rally, earning 25 points. This result propelled him to 247 points, placing him ahead of teammates Kalle Rovanperä and Sébastien Ogier, who are currently tied at 234 points each.
The Central European Rally, the 12th of 14 events this season, traversed stages across Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Toyota also clinched its ninth World Constructors’ title, marking their fifth consecutive championship victory and solidifying their dominance in the sport.
Kalle Rovanperä won the Central European Rally, his third victory of the season, finishing 43.7 seconds ahead of Evans.
Rovanperä expressed satisfaction with his performance. “It’s good to be back on asphalt,” he said. “I think we were the fastest, compared to the rest. We did a good job. This is clearly the best team, and dominant.”
The Finnish driver has announced plans to switch from rallying to single-seater racing next year.
Ott Tänak of Hyundai finished third, 49.3 seconds behind Rovanperä.
Sébastien Ogier, despite a crash on Saturday, returned to competition and won the ‘super-sunday’ points and the final power stage, adding ten points to his tally.
Evans acknowledged the team’s broader success. “The big moment today is winning the constructors’ title,” he stated. “We’ll see how the drivers’ one goes.”
Ogier offered a philosophical view on his setback. “That’s life. Yesterday things happened. As usual, we just have to look forward.”
Toyota now holds 632 points in the constructors’ championship, with Hyundai in second place at 464 points. Toyota’s impressive string of constructors’ titles includes 1993, 1994, 1999, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, and the current 2024 season, bringing them one title shy of Lancia’s historical record.
The championship now moves to Japan for races scheduled from November 6 to 9, before concluding with the final round in Saudi Arabia at the end of the month.