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Toyota Yaris WRC in the World Rally Championship

Toyota Yaris WRC

Manufacturer: Toyota
Category: WRC

The Toyota Yaris WRC is a rally car developed by Toyota Gazoo Racing to compete in the World Rally Championship (WRC), the premier rally series in the world. Since its debut in 2017, the Toyota Yaris WRC has been a competitive contender, achieving victories and podium finishes in various rallies. Here's an overview of the Toyota Yaris WRC's performance in the World Rally Championship:

  1. Debut Season (2017): The Toyota Yaris WRC made its debut in the 2017 World Rally Championship season. In its first year, the Yaris WRC showed promise with competitive performances and podium finishes. Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala secured the Yaris WRC's maiden victory at Rally Sweden, while his teammate, Esapekka Lappi, claimed victory at Rally Finland.

  2. 2018 Season: In the 2018 season, the Toyota Yaris WRC continued to demonstrate its competitiveness. Ott Tänak, who joined the Toyota Gazoo Racing team, became a frontrunner in the championship, securing victories at Rally Argentina, Rally Finland, Rally Germany, and Rally Australia. The Yaris WRC showcased its versatility by performing well on various surfaces and conditions.

  3. 2019 Season: The Toyota Yaris WRC maintained its competitive form in the 2019 season. Ott Tänak emerged as the dominant force, clinching victories at Rally Chile, Rally Portugal, Rally Finland, and Rally Germany. Tänak's consistent performances propelled him to the driver's championship title, marking a significant achievement for Toyota Gazoo Racing.

  4. 2020 Season: Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Toyota Yaris WRC continued to perform well in the 2020 season. Elfyn Evans, who joined the team, secured victories at Rally Sweden, Rally Turkey, and Rally Belgium. Toyota Gazoo Racing also clinched the manufacturer's championship title, highlighting the Yaris WRC's competitiveness.

  5. 2021 Season: In the 2021 season, the Toyota Yaris WRC remained a frontrunner in the championship. Sébastien Ogier, a multiple-time world champion, secured victories at Rally Monte Carlo, Rally Croatia, Rally Italia Sardegna, and Rally Monza. The Yaris WRC showcased its reliability and performance across a range of rally conditions.

The Yaris WRC has established itself as one of the top contenders in the World Rally Championship, achieving victories, podium finishes, and championship titles. Its success reflects Toyota Gazoo Racing's commitment to developing a competitive rally car capable of challenging for victories at the highest level of the sport.

Toyota Yaris WRC teams and drivers

Toyota Gazoo Racing fielded the Toyota Yaris WRC in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The team typically had a roster of drivers competing in its cars. Here are some of the notable drivers who have competed for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the Toyota Yaris WRC:

  1. Sébastien Ogier: Sébastien Ogier, a highly successful French rally driver, joined Toyota Gazoo Racing in 2020 after previously driving for various other teams in the WRC. He brought a wealth of experience and success to the team, including multiple WRC championship titles.

  2. Elfyn Evans: Welsh driver Elfyn Evans joined Toyota Gazoo Racing in 2020 alongside Sébastien Ogier. Evans had previously competed for M-Sport Ford in the WRC and quickly became a competitive force in the Toyota Yaris WRC.

  3. Kalle Rovanperä: Finnish driver Kalle Rovanperä made his debut with Toyota Gazoo Racing in the WRC in 2020. Despite his young age, Rovanperä showcased impressive speed and talent, earning podium finishes and demonstrating his potential as a future star of the sport.

  4. Ott Tänak: Estonian driver Ott Tänak competed for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the Toyota Yaris WRC before departing the team after the 2021 season. Tänak had previously won the WRC championship with Toyota in 2019 and contributed to the team's success during his tenure.

  5. Jari-Matti Latvala: Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala, a seasoned veteran of the WRC, served as a test and development driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing while also providing valuable insights and support to the team.

These drivers formed the core lineup for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Rally Championship, with each contributing to the team's success and competitiveness in the series. However, please note that driver lineups may change over time due to various factors such as contracts, performance, and team decisions. For the most up-to-date information on Toyota Gazoo Racing's WRC team and drivers, I recommend checking official sources or recent news updates.

Toyota Yaris WRC rally victories

Since its debut in the 2017 season, the Yaris WRC has been competitive and has secured wins on various rally events. Some of the notable victories of the Toyota Yaris WRC include:

  1. Rally Sweden: The Toyota Yaris WRC secured victories at Rally Sweden in multiple years, including 2017, 2018, and 2020.

  2. Rally Finland: Finland's high-speed gravel stages have been particularly favorable for the Yaris WRC, with victories in 2017, 2018, and 2020.

  3. Rally Argentina: The Yaris WRC has also performed well at Rally Argentina, claiming victories in 2018 and 2019.

  4. Rally Australia: The Yaris WRC demonstrated its competitiveness at Rally Australia, securing victories in 2018 and 2019.

  5. Rally Chile: The Yaris WRC won the inaugural Rally Chile in 2019, showcasing its performance on the South American stages.

  6. Rally Deutschland: The Yaris WRC has been successful on tarmac as well, with victories at Rally Deutschland in 2017 and 2018.

Toyota Yaris WRC technical specifications

  1. Engine: The Toyota Yaris WRC is powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four engine. The engine is capable of producing around 380 to 400 horsepower, depending on specific regulations and engine mapping.

  2. Transmission: The Yaris WRC features a six-speed sequential gearbox with hydraulic shift mechanism. It allows for quick and precise gear changes, with paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel for ease of use.

  3. Four-Wheel Drive: Like all modern WRC cars, the Toyota Yaris WRC utilizes a sophisticated four-wheel-drive system to maximize traction on various surfaces encountered during rally stages. The system allows for variable torque distribution between the front and rear axles as needed.

  4. Suspension: The Yaris WRC is equipped with adjustable suspension components, including dampers, springs, and anti-roll bars. The suspension setup can be fine-tuned to adapt to different terrain and driving conditions encountered in rally events.

  5. Brakes: The braking system of the Yaris WRC features ventilated disc brakes on all four corners, with high-performance brake pads and calipers. The brakes provide strong and consistent stopping power, essential for the demanding braking zones encountered in rallying.

  6. Weight: The minimum weight of a WRC car, including driver and co-driver but excluding fuel, is specified by WRC regulations. For the Toyota Yaris WRC, this minimum weight is around 1,190 kilograms (2,623 pounds).

  7. Safety Features: The Yaris WRC is equipped with a comprehensive safety package, including a roll cage, reinforced chassis, racing seats, harnesses, fire suppression system, and other safety features to protect the driver and co-driver in the event of an accident.

  8. Aerodynamics: The Yaris WRC features aerodynamic enhancements, including a large rear wing, front splitter, and aerodynamic bodywork enhancements to improve downforce and stability at high speeds. These aerodynamic components help optimize the car's performance on both gravel and tarmac surfaces.

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