Toyota Gazoo Racing has dominated the WRC season so far but team principal Tom Fowler remains cautious, knowing bigger challenges lie ahead.
Toyota Gazoo Racing team principal Tom Fowler is keeping a level head despite his team’s dominant start to the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship season.
Two rounds in, the Japanese squad has already stamped its authority on the competition with back-to-back one-two finishes at Rallye Monte-Carlo and Rally Sweden.
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The early success has positioned Toyota as the team to beat in both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ standings, but Fowler remains measured about the team’s prospects.
“To be honest, we didn’t really know about this record,” he admitted as per WRC portal.
“Somebody told us and, yeah, it’s nice, but it’s two rallies out of 14. We’re not going to get carried away. We’re going to be looking forward to the next rally.”
Fowler’s caution stems from the unpredictable nature of the WRC season, where conditions vary dramatically from one round to the next.
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The opening two rallies may have been near-perfect for Toyota, but the real test is yet to come, starting with the grueling Safari Rally Kenya.
“And it’s worth pointing out that Monte-Carlo, for sure, is really quite a specific event,” Fowler added.
“It’s a rally where things can go your way or very definitely go against you. Coming out of that event with a good result is a relief.
“Sweden’s a bit more straightforward; the car set-up is a bit more recognisable from some of the faster gravel rallies. Like I said, we’re looking forward to the next challenge now. And Safari [Rally Kenya] is always going to be a big challenge!”
Toyota’s ability to adapt to different conditions will be put to the test in Kenya, where it has an outstanding track record.
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Since the Safari’s return to the WRC calendar in 2021, the Japanese manufacturer has been undefeated, securing four consecutive wins—including two dominant podium lockouts.
With its GR Yaris Rally1 proving both fast and reliable, Toyota’s early-season pace suggests it could extend that streak.
However, Fowler refuses to get ahead of himself, recognizing that Africa’s toughest rally can throw up surprises at any moment.
While Toyota holds the momentum, rivals like Hyundai and M-Sport Ford are determined to close the gap. M-Sport’s Grégoire Munster, who endured a challenging Rally Sweden, believes lessons learned from the icy forests will be key to improving performance in Kenya.
“We took away some valuable insights from Sweden,” Munster said.
“It wasn’t the easiest weekend, but the team worked hard, and I think we can use what we learned to be stronger in the next round.”
Toyota’s cautious optimism reflects the unpredictable nature of WRC.
While the statistics point to another dominant season, Fowler’s cool-headed approach is a reminder that the championship is a marathon, not a sprint.
With 12 rallies still to go, Toyota may have the advantage for now, but as history has shown, fortunes can change in an instant in the world of rallying.