WRC 2024 result after Round 12: Central European Rally

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team continued its 2024 FIA World Rally Championship campaign with the penultimate round in Europe, and further closed the gap to first with a strong final day performance. Even though overall victory eluded the team in the Central European Rally, the championship remains in sight. What was the story behind this WRC 2024 result? Read on to find out.

WRC 2024 result: Central European Rally

Having achieved a maximum score in the previous round in Chile, Toyota had more than halved the gap in the manufacturers’ championship, while Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans were in mathematical contention for the drivers’ championship. Spirits were therefore high coming into this penultimate round. However, the stages in the Central European Rally cross three borders and are notoriously changeable, with the autumn weather making the roads slippery with rain, mud and leaves.

Leaving the rally base in Bavaria, Germany, the action began some 170 miles away with the pre-event shakedown on Thursday morning in the outskirts of Prague, Czech Republic. That afternoon Ogier set the quickest time in the opening super special and third-fastest in the evening’s second stage, the consolidation of which placed the Frenchman in an early lead.

Day two continued with the promise of six bumpy, technical and fast roads in the Czech Republic. Ogier began the day with a win in a rerun of the previous night’s stage. Team-mate Elfyn Evans then set the pace in the damp second stage. The third stage may have been pretty to look at (see above) but the decoration of leaves was hazardous in terms of grip, so Ogier eased off for safety before picking up the pace again for stage four, a third visit to the Klatovy route.

A 30-minute remote service brought the cars back to full fitness before completing the final two stages. Evans came close to repeating his win in the rerun of the Strašín stage, but then Ogier pushed harder in the repeat of the leaf-strewn stage and secured another win. Strong performances across the entire team meant that Toyota concluded day two with all four of its cars inside the top six, Ogier being the best-placed in second overall.

Day three saw the event cross the border between Germany and Austria. While the stages were somewhat smoother and cleaner, the foggy, damp conditions still brought significant challenges. Nevertheless, both Ogier (above) and Evans showed great consistency, leading the Toyota crews aboard their GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid models.

Evans won the second stage as Ogier closed to within two seconds of the lead, then Ogier claimed the lead when he went quickest in an especially treacherous last stage of the morning. Despite pressure from behind, the eight-time world champion increased his advantage to more than five seconds as won both of the day’s last tests. At this point in the event, Toyota’s top two cars were in first and third, while Takamoto Katsuta (above) and Sami Pajari were in fifth and sixth respectively.

Day four threw a number of surprises and disappointments Toyota’s way. Katsuta became the star of the day, having grown in confidence and pace throughout the course of this event. He drove smartly when the often-slippery conditions required a more cautious approach, and by pushing harder on the final day the Japanese driver claimed the maximum 12 points on offer by topping both the Super Sunday classification and the rally-ending Power Stage. Meanwhile, Evans was third in the Power Stage, which was enough to secure his second successive podium.

Evans had been part of a close battle for victory, led by Ogier. We say ‘had’ because two unfortunate moments foiled their well-laid plans. First, Evans slid wide on the final day’s first stage, which dropped him down a position. But then tragically, Ogier also slid wide on a muddy corner on the penultimate stage and hit a tree, immediately ending his rally.

Nevertheless, thanks to the combined efforts of Evans and Katsuta, Toyota scored two points more than any other team in this event. This closed the gap to first place to 15 points ahead of the final round at Rally Japan. If the team can secure a one-two finish on home soil and full points on Sunday then the championship is in the bag. Here’s hoping!

WRC 2024 result in Round 12: Central European Rally

WRC 2024 championship standings: drivers and co-drivers

Where is the WRC heading next?

The WRC juggernaut continues on asphalt roads for the final round of the 2024 season, concluding on Toyota’s home roads for Rally Japan. The event returned to the WRC in 2022 and takes place this year on 21-24 November. Hosted in the Aichi and Gifu prefectures in the outskirts of Toyota City, this round is known for its demanding mountain roads.