{"id":3597,"date":"2025-10-19T19:45:35","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T19:45:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/?p=3597"},"modified":"2025-10-19T19:45:36","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T19:45:36","slug":"rovanpera-wins-central-european-rally-as-toyota-celebrates-fifth-straight-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.worldrally.eu\/index.php\/2025\/10\/19\/rovanpera-wins-central-european-rally-as-toyota-celebrates-fifth-straight-title\/","title":{"rendered":"Rovanper\u00e4 Wins Central European Rally as Toyota Celebrates Fifth Straight Title"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The final day of the Central European Rally brought both celebration and drama, as drivers tackled four stages: Beyond Borders (run between Austria and Germany) and M\u00fchltal (in Austria), each repeated twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day began with Kalle Rovanper\u00e4 comfortably leading the rally, followed by Ott T\u00e4nak at +36.3 seconds and Elfyn Evans at +44.7 seconds. While Rovanper\u00e4 appeared firmly in control, the fight for second place remained intense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The morning opened with SS15, but it was quickly paused after Thierry Neuville suffered a heavy crash just 4.23 km into the stage. His car struck a bridge after what was described as a pace note error that led to a braking mistake. The car came to rest blocking the road, forcing the stage to be cancelled. Neuville and co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe were taken to hospital for precautionary checks, and thankfully, both were reported to be fine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Thierry Neuville and Martijn Wydaeghe \/ Photo rally.tv <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

From there, Rovanper\u00e4 maintained his lead and brought home a confident victory, his third win of the season, following earlier triumphs in the Canary Islands and Finland. After crossing the finish line, Rovanper\u00e4 reflected:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cIt\u2019s been great to be back on tarmac again. I think the pace S\u00e9b and I had was really strong compared to the others. I\u2019m hungry for the title now \u2014 we\u2019ve improved our chances, it won\u2019t be easy, but we\u2019ll keep fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

With his retirement from WRC competition already announced, Rovanper\u00e4\u2019s determination to end his season on a high was clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The battle for second place, however, took a twist in the afternoon. T\u00e4nak had a close call in SS17 at the same bridge where Neuville had crashed earlier, losing valuable time and reducing his advantage over Evans to just 1.1 seconds. Evans then set a fastest time in the Power Stage than T\u00e4nak snatching second place on the final podium from him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, despite his retirement on Saturday, S\u00e9bastien Ogier returned strong on Super Sunday, winning all Sunday stages and earning maximum points from both the Super Sunday and Power Stage. The Power Stage results were a full sweep for Toyota, with points going to Ogier, Evans, Rovanper\u00e4, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Toyota Gazoo Racing \/ Photo by Goretti @worldrally.eu<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

There was even more reason to celebrate for the team, Toyota sealed its fifth consecutive World Rally Championship manufacturers\u2019 title, and its ninth overall, surpassing Citro\u00ebn\u2019s total of eight and sitting just one title behind the all-time record held by Lancia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the podium, Katsuta finished a strong fourth, followed by Fourmaux, Pajari and McErlean. Munster finished 27th and Ogier 29th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With just two rounds remaining, Japan and Saudi Arabia, the championship title remains wide open. The question now is whether Evans can clinch his first world title, or if Rovanper\u00e4 or Ogier will close the season on top.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83c\udfc6 Final Overall Standings (WRC)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\ud83e\udd47 Kalle Rovanper\u00e4 and Jonne Halttunen \u2013 2:36:20.1
\ud83e\udd48 Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin \u2013 +43.7
\ud83e\udd49 Ott T\u00e4nak and Martin J\u00e4rveoja \u2013 +49.3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Final Standings \u2013 WRC2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1\ufe0f\u20e3 Jan \u010cern\u00fd and Ond\u0159ej Kraj\u010da \u2013 2:47:11.2
2\ufe0f\u20e3 Filip Mare\u0161 and Radovan Bucha \u2013 +30.1
3\ufe0f\u20e3 Roberto Dapr\u00e0 and Luca Guglielmetti \u2013 +3:00.3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overall Championship Standings after Central Europe (rd. 12)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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