Akio's Four-Day Stint as Team Principal: Behind the Scenes at Rally Finland
In the heart of Finland, anticipation was high as Jari-Matti Latvala, a local hero, returned to racing in Round 9 of the World Rally Championship (WRC), Rally Finland. The event, held in forests, lakes, and cityscapes, saw Latvala competing on home soil with Toyota's World Rally Team (TGR-WRT) based in Jyväskylä.
Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, expressed his support for Latvala's comeback, but it was Juha Kankkunen, not Toyoda, who served as the alternate Team Principal for the event. Kankkunen stepped in to help Toyota secure top results, including a home victory for Kalle Rovanperä.
Meanwhile, Latvala continued as Team Principal, deeply involved in the development work for Toyota's hydrogen-powered rally cars. His experience as both driver and team principal has been invaluable in providing feedback for the team.
The video from Rally Finland 2021, approximately 30 minutes and 34 seconds long, captures Akio Toyoda encouraging staff and drivers, putting smiles on their faces. Toyoda's involvement in the event was more strategic and promotional, focusing on hydrogen rally technology demonstration and leadership.
The competition was not without its challenges. Engineers faced a dire situation during the rally, but Latvala, with Toyota's support, managed to push through, making his return a memorable one.
In an exciting turn of events, Elfyn Evans/Scott Martin won Round 9 of the WRC, Rally Finland, with Takamoto Katsuta/Aaron Johnston finishing third overall.
A new commitment was made between the City of Jyväskylä, TGR-WRT, and the Toyota Mobility Foundation, further strengthening Toyota's ties with the city. The enthusiasm for Latvala's homecoming and Toyota's continued commitment to rally racing was evident, with social media platforms buzzing with excitement.
For those interested, comments from alternate Team Principal Toyoda and Latvala are available on the official website. The video of Akio Toyoda's encouragement during the event can also be found there, offering a unique insight into the world of rally racing.
Rally Japan is the next stop on the WRC calendar, scheduled to take place on November 16-19 in Aichi/Gifu. As the season comes to a close, the excitement for the future of rally racing with Toyota and their talented drivers continues to grow.
- Despite not being directly involved in the racing, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota, still showed his support for rally racing, promoting hydrogen rally technology and demonstrating leadership.
- With Juha Kankkunen stepping in as the alternate Team Principal, Jari-Matti Latvala was able to Focus on his role as Team Principal and provide invaluable feedback for the development of Toyota's hydrogen-powered rally cars, showing his dedication to sports beyond his driving career.
