Latvala gains further mileage in new GR Yaris Rally2 Concept

The Toyota Gazoo Racing team principal headed Takamoto Katsuta’s father, Norihiko, home for a Yaris one-two on the Obihiro-based gravel rally.

Latvala was co-driven by Toyota’s test driver Juho Hänninen and used his countryman’s set-up for the car. He said: “We took the base set-up Juho used in Sardinia at the test. I had some understeer on the first day, but we changed the front diff to make the car more accurate for my driving style and then it was just damper clicks. We were able to concentrate on the functionality of driving the car through the stages.

“On the rally, there was some Tarmac, some technical gravel roads and some faster places and I felt very comfortable in the car. This is something that’s so important for the customers for this car – it’s easy to feel comfortable, confident and quick.

“The engine is giving a lot of torque, which makes it very driveable and with a lot of suspension travel, it goes over the bumps very well – it feels stable and strong. I’m looking forward to driving again.”

Latvala was also happy to land a win in Hokkaido, the former home of Japan’s WRC round.

“I remembered some of the stages from the days of the WRC,” said Latvala. “It was a very nice rally."