Toyota Gazoo Racing Set for Dramatic WRC Finale in Saudi Arabia
The FIA World Rally Championship will reach a thrilling climax at the all-new Rally Saudi Arabia, November 26-29, as Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team drivers Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, and Kalle Rovanperä battle for the coveted world champion title.
Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR-WRT) has enjoyed a record-breaking year, securing 12 victories in the 13 rounds contested thus far – equaling the best-ever single-season tally for a manufacturer. Having already clinched a fifth consecutive manufacturers’ championship, the team now focuses on an exclusive showdown between its three crews for the drivers’ and co-drivers’ crowns.
Evans and co-driver Scott Martin currently lead the championship standings, built on a remarkably consistent season. They have finished every rally within the top six, achieving two wins and six podium finishes, including four consecutive second-place results. This steady performance has positioned them as the frontrunners heading into the final event.
Just three points behind Evans, Sébastien Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais pose a significant threat. Following a hard-fought victory at Rally Japan, Ogier has the opportunity to secure a record-equalling ninth world championship title. The duo has demonstrated exceptional form, reaching the podium in nine of their ten starts this year and winning six of those events.
Also in contention is Kalle Rovanperä and his co-driver Jonne Halttunen, aiming for a third world title. Despite a 24-point deficit, Rovanperä remains a formidable competitor. This will be his final WRC start before transitioning to single-seater circuit racing with TGR support in 2025.
Additional TGR-WRT drivers Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston, alongside the TGR-WRT2 crew of Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen – fresh from their first WRC podium at Rally Japan – will also be competing in Saudi Arabia.
For the final round, the main TGR-WRT entries will sport the silver livery previously used during European summer rallies. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the lighter color is strategically chosen to reflect sunlight and help regulate temperatures for both the cars and crews, a crucial consideration for the challenging conditions expected in Saudi Arabia.
The event, based in Jeddah, presents a unique challenge for all competitors. Organizers promise a diverse terrain encompassing mountains, volcanoes, and deserts. The gravel roads are anticipated to vary from smooth and fast with a hard base to softer, rougher, and rockier sections, demanding adaptability in both car setup and driving style.
The service park will be located near the Jeddah Corniche Circuit, with the rally commencing on Wednesday evening with an asphalt super special stage. Thursday will feature a repeat of the super special stage, preceded by two loops of three stages. Friday represents the longest day, with 141.72 competitive kilometers across two loops of three stages. The rally culminates on Saturday with three stages, including two passes of Thahban – the second run serving as a potentially decisive Power Stage.
Notably, nine GR Yaris Rally2 cars are entered, representing the largest contingent of any single model. This year’s WRC2 champion, Oliver Solberg, will pilot a Printsport-entered car, gaining valuable experience for his confirmed TGR-WRT Rally1 drive in 2026. Other WRC2 contenders include Roope Korhonen (Rautio Motorsport), Jan Solans, Alejandro Cachón, and Diego Domínguez (Teo Martín Motorsport), Kajetan Kajetanowicz (Rallylab Technology), and Fabio Schwarz (Armin Schwarz Driving Experience). Saudi driver Hamza Bakhashab, whose father Abdullah competed with Toyota in the WRC from 1998 to 2002, and Spaniard Miguel Díaz-Aboitiz (Calm Competició) will also participate in the GR Yaris Rally2 category.
A senior official stated, “Rally Saudi Arabia is going to be very interesting as the final round of the championship. It’s so close now between Elfyn and Seb, and I’m sure it will be a big fight between them. Kalle still has a chance as well, and on a new rally like this, anything could happen. We do have some information from the Middle East championship event this year and from what I’ve heard, there should be quite a mix of different stages, with sections similar to roads we have in Greece and other parts that are more open through the desert. There can also be a lot of new things that the team and drivers will need to adapt to during the event. Our goal is to give a strong car to all of our drivers that allows them to fight, and we’ll see which one of them becomes the world champion.”
The Rally Saudi Arabia promises a dramatic and unpredictable finale to the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship, with the world title hanging in the balance for three of rallying’s biggest stars.
