How Toyota plans to manage Rally Sweden grandstand finish

Toyota will want to consider “technique for its drivers” as a grandstand end awaits Rally Sweden with solely three seconds splitting team-mates Elfyn Evans and Takamoto Katsuta.

The Japanese marque has all the time operated a agency no crew orders coverage amongst its crews however crew principal Jari-Matti Latvala has hinted that some type of technique may come into play on Sunday.

Evans will head into Sunday’s three phases with a slender lead after witnessing an 8.6s benefit over Katsuta diminished to a few seconds, following a brush with a snowbank in stage 14 and a stall in stage 15.

These small errors have additionally hauled Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville into the victory combat, 6.3s adrift, with stablemate Ott Tanak solely 12.8s in arrears, in what seems to be a four-way combat for the highest step of the rostrum.

When reminded of Toyota’s no crew orders coverage and requested if that meant his drivers must drive flat out on Sunday, Latvala mentioned: “Sure after all, however on the similar time it’s important to keep in mind that with these [new Hankook] tyres we don’t have a lot expertise but. So taking the massive dangers, you’ll want to take into consideration that, and whether it is worthwhile or not to do this, as a result of however the factors are very worthwhile for the championship. 

“We don’t ever do crew orders presently of the 12 months however we want to consider the technique a bit bit for the drivers to see what’s greatest.”

When pressed additional on what he meant by technique, he added: “I don’t know but. It will be a Tremendous Sunday and it will be actually thrilling to observe these phases.”

Rally chief Evans says there isn’t a want for Toyota to make use of crew orders and expects a good combat for victory.

“To this point excluding the odd second right here and there, it has been a fairly good weekend however tomorrow is when the factors get dished out so that’s when it’s important to make it depend,” mentioned Evans.

“It’s nonetheless very open and we’ve to go along with the identical rhythm we’ve had all weekend and see what occurs. 

“There isn’t any want [to speak to Jari-Matti about team orders]. That is the way in which the crew has all the time labored, it would all the time be truthful and we are able to combat tomorrow. 

“I’m not saying I can undoubtedly do it by myself however what I’m saying is there isn’t a want for crew orders.” 

Katsuta, eyeing a maiden WRC win, admitted he’s relishing being within the victory hunt however stays focussed on the duty that lies forward.

“It was a fairly robust day and it will be fascinating tomorrow. The hole is just not huge so it’s a crucial day tomorrow. I don’t have to do something particular, I simply have to do the identical and see what can occur,” mentioned Katsuta. 

“I’ve seen Elfyn and Thierry have been combating many rallies earlier than however it’s a little bit of a wierd feeling to be with these guys, however it feels good and hopefully the phases match up for us. I’ll attempt to do my greatest however I have to convey the automotive again, which is kind of necessary for me.”

In the meantime, Neuville expects a “flat-out” method from himself and his rivals to emerge from considered one of Rally Sweden’s most hotly-contested rallies with victory.  

“Now we have to [give it go] undoubtedly and we are going to with the additional factors up for grabs,” mentioned Neuville.  

“In such an in depth battle everyone can be flat out and let’s cross our fingers that all the things goes the way in which we want it to go.”