Toyota Gazoo Racing Targets Victory at 2025 Rally Sweden

The reigning manufacturers’ champions kicked off their title defense in spectacular fashion at Rallye Monte-Carlo last month, securing maximum points with a commanding one-two finish. WRC legend Sébastien Ogier led the charge, extending his record with a historic 10th victory at the iconic event. However, Ogier is running a limited schedule this season, meaning he won’t be competing in Sweden.

This puts the spotlight on Elfyn Evans, who now takes the reins in the drivers’ championship battle. The Welsh driver, who clinched his maiden victory with Toyota at Rally Sweden in 2020, will be tasked with opening the road. Joining him in the lineup is 2022 Sweden winner Kalle Rovanperä, who starts third on the road, while Takamoto Katsuta known for his solid performances on snow and ice completes the team’s manufacturer trio. Sami Pajari will also represent TGR-WRT2, making his full winter rally debut in Rally1 machinery.

Five Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Entries

Despite Ogier’s absence, Toyota will still field five GR Yaris Rally1 cars in Sweden. Italian privateer Lorenzo Bertelli returns to the event through the team’s customer program for the third consecutive year, further strengthening Toyota’s presence on the grid.

Rally Sweden: A Unique Challenge

As the WRC’s only full winter event, Rally Sweden holds a special place in Toyota’s history. It was here in 2017 that the team secured its first victory following its return to the sport, with current Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala behind the wheel.

Since 2022, the rally has been based in Umeå, a northern Swedish city located near the Gulf of Bothnia, ensuring optimal winter conditions. The move north has resulted in even faster stages, where drivers rely on special studded tyres to carve through the icy surface. Snowbanks lining the roads often become a critical tool, allowing drivers to lean their cars into corners at high speed.

Rally Schedule and Key Stages

The action kicks off Thursday evening with a short sprint stage in Umeå. Friday features two loops of three stages, with a mid-day service in between. Saturday follows a similar format but concludes with an extended version of the Umeå stage. This same stage will serve as Sunday’s Power Stage, following two runs of the Västervik test.

WRC2 Battle: Toyota Well Represented

Toyota’s presence extends beyond the top category, with seven GR Yaris Rally2 cars competing in WRC2. Leading the charge is home hero Oliver Solberg, kicking off his seven-round campaign with Printsport. He’ll be joined by Georg Linnamäe, who secured a podium finish with RedGrey in 2024, as well as Rautio Motorsport’s Roope Korhonen and Tuukka Kauppinen the latter fresh from his Arctic Rally triumph. Veteran Michał Sołowow also joins the mix under the Printsport banner.

Meanwhile, Toyota’s WRC Challenge Program sees second-generation talents Hikaru Kogure and Yuki Yamamoto make their WRC2 debuts in GR Yaris Rally2 cars. In WRC3, third-generation prospects Shotaro Goto and Takumi Matsushita step onto the world stage in Renault Clio Rally3 machines.

Can Toyota Extend Its Winning Streak?

With a strong driver lineup, proven rally-winning machinery, and an impressive track record on snow, Toyota Gazoo Racing is well-positioned to chase another victory in Sweden. As the championship battle intensifies, all eyes will be on Evans, Rovanperä, and Katsuta as they tackle one of the fastest and most thrilling rallies on the calendar.

Stay tuned for all the latest WRC action from Rally Sweden 2025!