Ott Tanak and the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team have secured a stunning victory on Rally Argentina: the Estonian’s first win with the team in only his fifth event in the Toyota Yaris WRC.
Tanak and co-driver Martin Jarveoja were dominant after taking the lead on the first full day, winning 10 stages across Friday and Saturday before controlling their lead over notoriously tough stages on Sunday, finishing up 33.7 seconds clear of the competition.
Esapekka Lappi completed his first Rally Argentina in eighth place. He was hampered by numerous punctures during the weekend, including another on Sunday’s first stage that cost him two places in the numerous order.
He also showed encouraging pace, however, on what is regarded as one of the toughest rounds of the championship.
Jari-Matti Latvala had to retire from the rally on Friday due to the damage caused by an impact with a rock, but he had already confirmed the impressive performance of the Yaris WRC.
Tanak and the Toyota team remain third in the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings respectively, but have both closed further on those in front.