It was a wild press conference! The Toyota boss was elated by the super season and joined in the chorus: “I’m almost drunk”

In the ending rally season, Toyota won the manufacturers’ and drivers’ world championships and culminated the season with a triple victory on its home field in Japan.

The World Cup season that ended with the Japanese rally was Toyota’s overwhelming superiority. The Japanese team secured the brand championship in Chile at the beginning of October, and a month later Kalle Rovanperä secured his second consecutive World Drivers’ Championship.

As the icing on the cake, Toyota achieved a triple victory on its home field in the World Rally Championship in Japan on Sunday. Elfyn Evans was number one before Sebastien Ogier and Rovanperä.

At the press conference drivers and Evans map reader Scott Martin were naturally in a festive mood, as was the chairman of Toyota’s board of directors Akio Toyodawho was excited to praise his troops and said that the season and the final race went beyond expectations.

– The last time I was here for an interview, I was almost drunk from a sparkling drink. Now I’m almost drunk on sake. I really appreciate this. This is a great team that anyone can beat and they all hate to lose. That is why there are fierce competitions between them. It puts a smile on my face and gives me energy, Toyoda beamed.

In August, Toyoda took the joy out of the Jyväskylä World Rally Championship, when even then Evans celebrated the victory. Then Toyoda apologized at the press conference that he smells like champagne and is “almost drunk”.

Rovanperä, Evans and Ogier each won three World Cup rallies this season.

A fun karaoke performance was also heard at the press conference, as map reader Martin had promised on Thursday that he would sing and reveal his favorite karaoke song if he won. The driver asked his teammates for help, because he didn’t dare to sing alone.

– I think everyone knows that we are champions. So three is enough! One two Three…

Martin’s choice was Queen’s evergreen We Are The Champions, the chorus of which brought a smile to the quintet’s face.

Rovanperä was left with a tooth cavity

According to Kalle Rovanperä, the triple win was a special conclusion to the team’s amazing season. Last year Rovanperä didn’t make it to you with the Japan rally and was only 12th then.

Now the Finnish driver came third in difficult conditions, although he said after the Central European Rally that he does not expect much from the Japanese race. However, he was not completely satisfied with his performance.

– Of course, I would always like to have it on the highest podium. The week was still difficult for me, and my pace was not the best I can be. Of course, under these conditions, it was clear that we just had to keep things stable. In the end, it paid off, and the whole team made it to the podium, Rovanperä analyzes the race.