Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team achieved a historic 1-2-3-4 finish in the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship's Rally Sweden, marking the second consecutive round where the team locked out the podium. Elfyn Evans led the charge, claiming victory and securing his third career win in Sweden.
The Welsh driver, alongside co-driver Scott Martin, maintained a strong performance throughout the rally, ultimately winning by a margin of 14.3 seconds over teammate Takamoto Katsuta. This victory comes after a similar triumph at Rallye Monte-Carlo, making Evans one of the most successful non-Nordic drivers in the event's history.
Katsuta, guided by co-driver Aaron Johnston, finished second, marking his eighth career podium in the WRC. The Japanese driver excelled on the snow-covered roads, showcasing his growing prowess in winter conditions.
Young Finnish driver Sami Pajari, with co-driver Marko Salminen, completed the podium with a third-place finish. Pajari's performance was a significant rebound from a challenging Rallye Monte-Carlo, securing his second career podium.
Oliver Solberg, who entered the event as the championship leader following a win in Monte Carlo, finished fourth. Despite a challenging start, Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson managed to recover and contribute to Toyota's unprecedented result.
In the WRC2 category, Toyota's GR Yaris Rally2 cars also achieved a one-two finish, with Finnish driver Roope Korhonen and co-driver Anssi Viinikka taking the victory.
Akio Toyoda, chairman of the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team, praised the drivers' performances, highlighting the contributions of younger team members like Pajari and Solberg. Team Principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed satisfaction with the team's overall performance, emphasizing the drivers' ability to maintain competitive speeds while avoiding major errors.
As the championship progresses, Evans leads the drivers' standings with 60 points, followed by Solberg with 47 and Katsuta with 30. The Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team holds a commanding lead in the manufacturers' championship with 117 points, well ahead of Hyundai's 66.
The next round of the WRC will be the Safari Rally Kenya, scheduled for March 12-15. Known for its challenging conditions, the event will test the teams on rough and rocky roads, offering a stark contrast to the snow and ice of Sweden.