TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Clinches Stunning 1-2-3 Finish at Rally Japan

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team pulled off a late-season hat trick with their one-two-three finish at the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship’s Rally Japan. Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais led the charge in the No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, followed closely by teammates Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin in the No. 33 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1, while newcomer Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen claimed third place in the No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 to complete a dominant home podium.

This achievement marks TGR-WRT’s third successive Rally Japan win in four editions and its second all-Toyota podium lockout. It also represents Ogier and Landais’ first Rally Japan victory, achieved after a closely fought battle with Evans and Martin that saw the two crews separated by under 10 seconds for most of the weekend.

Akio Toyoda, TGR-WRT Chairman, who has continuously spoken about ‘Japan Pride’ in various places, was finally able to return as Morizo on Thursday. He said: “Upon the team’s arrival in Aichi, I went to see everyone to say ‘Welcome back to your home rally!’ But instead, Morizo was greeted by them saying ‘Welcome back to the home team!’ It reminded me that TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WRT is a team with such ‘warm companions’ and it made me feel very happy and instantly blew away all my fatigue. I also want to express my sincere thanks for the team to return to Japan after securing the manufacturers’ title for the fifth consecutive year.”

Toyoda added: “This time, it was a 1-2-3 finish by Seb, Elfyn, and Sami! Thank you all. During the weekend, I was able to see many fans on the liaison sections. Rally Japan in Aichi and Gifu has now been held four times, and it seems this kind of roadside scenery has become established. We are gradually getting closer to the ‘European motorsport culture’ that I have always admired. I am truly happy. I want to thank everyone who planned Rally Japan and has continued it up to this point. Elfyn, Scott, Seb, Vincent, Kalle, Jonne... this is the last season where these six can compete in such a high-level and exciting battle. Please give your best performance in Saudi Arabia with no regrets!”

Ogier carried a slender 6.5-second advantage into the final day, which unfolded in challenging wet conditions. Evans made a strong start to the morning’s first stage and appeared poised to take the lead, but Ogier responded decisively in a particularly tricky final section to retain the top position. He then delivered another stage win, and the fastest time in the penultimate test extended his lead to 11.5 seconds heading into the final stage.

In a thrilling finish, Ogier and Evans were separated by just 0.096 seconds in the rally-ending Power Stage. Also topping the Super Sunday classification, Ogier secured the maximum 35 points, closing to within three points of championship leader Evans with one rally remaining.

Pajari and co-driver Salminen rounded off the podium by claiming third place after an eventful rally. Competing in Japan for the first time in Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 machinery, Pajari was rewarded with a solid and mature drive that perfectly exemplified his impressive rookie campaign.

Over the years, Toyota has been participating in many different forms of motorsports, including Formula One, the World Endurance Championship (WEC), World Rally Championship (WRC), 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.

Round 14 of the 2025 FIA WRC is Rally Saudi Arabia (November 26–29), a brand-new gravel event that will mark the season finale. Taking place around Jeddah, the rally features fast and varied stages across mountain, volcanic, and desert terrain, offering an exciting new challenge for drivers and teams.

Race Notes:
•    No. 17 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais)
•    Position: 1st
•    Time: 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 8.9 seconds

•    No. 33 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin)
•    Position: 2nd
•    Time: 3 hours, 21 minutes, and 25 seconds

•    No. 5 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1 (Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen)
•    Position: 3rd
•    Time: 3 hours, 23 minutes, and 25.5 seconds