Toyota expects Hyundai to bounce again and problem for the World Rally Championship title this season, in accordance with group principal Jari-Matti Latvala.
After defeating Hyundai to attain a ninth WRC producers’ title final 12 months, Toyota has continued its domination of the championship in 2026, recording back-to-back podium lockouts within the opening two rounds of the season in Monte Carlo and Sweden.
Toyota will as soon as once more be thought to be the favorite to proceed its 100% successful begin to the 12 months at Safari Rally Kenya this week, the place the model is but to be crushed for the reason that rally rejoined the championship in 2021.
Toyota has taken a powerful step ahead with its already dominant GR Yaris this season; this coincides with Hyundai struggling to extract constant efficiency from its i20 N Rally1, which has additionally undergone upgrades throughout the low season.
Hyundai’s efficiency within the opening two rounds this 12 months has come as a shock to Toyota however group principal Latvala absolutely expects the Korean marque to react and push his group throughout the season.
Talking to Motorsport, Hyundai sporting director Andrew Wheatley has already confirmed that the group is planning to introduce additional upgrades to its i20 N Rally1 automobile subsequent month when the championship returns to asphalt in Croatia.
Requested if he anticipated Hyundai to make a comeback in Kenya this weekend, Latvala informed Motorsport: “I used to be anticipating they’d be nearer, however in Monte and Sweden they’ve been struggling, so l’m anticipating that they are going to come again and be at a really shut degree to us, however ‘can they catch up by Kenya’ is a query mark.
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
“Kenya hasn’t been a powerful occasion for them prior to now and it’s not an occasion that’s essentially for them, however afterwards there are occasions the place they really feel extra snug, as an example it this manner. Time is working rapidly within the championship and if you wish to be within the sport you have to react rapidly.
“However Kenya is an occasion the place you don’t essentially have the efficiency, you simply have to have the reliability and the drivers to be wise, and that can also convey good outcomes.”
Hyundai achieved its greatest show but in Kenya final 12 months when it recorded a double podium outcome with Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville ending second and third respectively behind Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
Toyota will discipline 5 vehicles to Hyundai’s three in Kenya with championship chief Evans joined by Monte Carlo winner Oliver Solberg and full-time regulars Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari. The road-up is accomplished by reigning champion Sebastien Ogier, who continues his partial programme after sitting out Rally Sweden final month. Ogier final contested the occasion in 2023 when he took his second Safari win, alongside a triumph in 2021.
The 20-stage Safari Rally Kenya begins on Thursday.
We wish your opinion!
What would you wish to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
– The Motorsport.com Staff
