Toyota Gazoo Racing has secured its sixth consecutive World Rally Championship manufacturers’ crown after Oliver Solberg led a dominant one-two finish at Rally Chile.
The South American result draws the Japanese marque level with Lancia on a historic 10 top-flight titles. With the 2026 manufacturers’ contest wrapped up early, management has removed team orders to unleash a raw three-way fight for the drivers’ championship.
Elfyn Evans continues to lead the overall standings. The Welshman now faces an unconstrained challenge from surging internal stablemates Sami Pajari and Chile winner Solberg, after chairman Akio Toyoda confirmed they will compete on equal terms. Just as Mercedes committed to youth amid their recent driver evaluations, Toyota finds itself balancing veteran consistency against intense youthful momentum.
Driver Turned Manager Offers Perspective
The deputy team principal knows the pressure of these campaigns intimately, having won championships as a driver with both Lancia and Toyota.
“To have now 10 championships is quite incredible and something really special for me to have contributed both as a driver and as part of the team’s management,” the four-time champion told motorsport.com.
He added: “The atmosphere in the team and the way that everyone works together is fantastic, also with our drivers: when they are on the stages they are fighting each other hard and pushing for the best results, but they also get on and help each other and the team very well.”
The closing WRC rounds promise exceptional drama, matching the intensity of the upcoming Formula 2 title battles across the wider motorsport landscape. The unrestricted Toyota trio will resume their championship fight when Rally Italia Sardegna begins on 1 October.
