Electric Cars

Anticipation builds for the MotoGP German Grand Prix as riders face significant physical hurdles. Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez, recovering from hand surgery following a recent incident in the Netherlands, intends to participate. His eligibility hinges on a crucial medical assessment scheduled for Thursday, July 10th. Marquez currently holds second place in the 2025 MotoGP world championship standings, trailing his brother Marc by 68 points. His determination to race underscores his commitment to maintaining his strong position in the championship, with a 58-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia of factory Ducati.

Adding to the dramatic landscape of rider fitness, Luca Marini is poised for a comeback at the Sachsenring. After sustaining considerable injuries in a testing crash at Suzuka in May and missing three consecutive races, Marini has successfully completed a test in Brno, paving the way for his return. Expressing his eagerness to rejoin the action, Marini stated, “The test at Brno last week was beneficial, offering clear insight into my physical state. While I’m not yet at peak condition, I believe riding is the best path to further improvement. My primary goal for this weekend is to regain my rhythm for a strong finish to the season.” Conversely, Honda’s Somkiat Chantra will be absent from the next two rounds, having undergone surgery for ligament damage in his right knee sustained during an off-road training incident. Takaaki Nakagami will step in for Chantra at the Czech Grand Prix, marking his return to LCR after retiring from full-time racing at the close of 2024.

The resilience and dedication displayed by these athletes in overcoming adversity are truly inspiring. Their commitment to their sport, even in the face of significant injury, highlights the profound passion and competitive spirit that defines MotoGP racing. This unwavering pursuit of excellence serves as a powerful reminder that with determination and perseverance, challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and triumph.

In a groundbreaking move for environmentally conscious motorsport, four-time World Rally Championship (WRC) victor Juha Kankkunen is set to pilot Toyota's innovative hydrogen-fueled rally car at the upcoming Rally Finland. This highly anticipated appearance of the GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept signals a pivotal moment for sustainable racing, underscoring the automotive giant's unwavering dedication to pioneering zero-emission technologies within the high-octane world of rallying.

Toyota has been at the forefront of hydrogen technology development in motorsports for several years. Their commitment to a carbon-neutral future has seen significant investment in research and practical application. The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept, which will be showcased on the Harju stage of Rally Finland from July 31 to August 3, is the culmination of rigorous development at the Toyota WRC team's base in Jyvaskyla, Finland. This advanced vehicle is built upon the foundation of Toyota's existing GR Yaris Rally2 car, but critically, it integrates an internal combustion engine that runs on compressed hydrogen, representing a leap forward in green automotive engineering.

This isn't Toyota's first foray into hydrogen-powered rally cars. Back in 2022, during the Ypres Rally Belgium, Kankkunen himself, alongside then-Toyota president Akio Toyoda, took an earlier version of the hydrogen concept for a spin. Since that initial demonstration, the project has undergone substantial refinement, leading to the more sophisticated and robust iteration poised for its debut in Finland. Toyota's long-term vision extends beyond rally; the company has actively participated in the Super Taikyu series in Japan with hydrogen-powered vehicles since 2021, with prominent figures like WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala contributing to its testing and development.

Further demonstrating its broad commitment to hydrogen fuel, Toyota recently unveiled a prototype hydrogen-powered test car last month, with an eye towards competing at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours. This vehicle, the GR LH2, was meticulously constructed at Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe in Cologne, Germany, utilizing a chassis derived from their GR010 Hybrid Le Mans Hypercar. While specific details regarding the engine and hybrid system, developed at Toyota's Higashi-Fuji Technical Centre in Japan, remain under wraps, the continued unveiling of such advanced prototypes highlights a clear strategic direction.

Beyond the hydrogen car's exciting debut, Rally Finland will also feature Toyota WRC team principal Jari-Matti Latvala competing in a standard GR Yaris Rally2. Latvala, an 18-time WRC rally winner, is no stranger to the Finnish terrain, having secured a second-place finish in the WRC2 class and sixth overall in last year's event. Expressing his enthusiasm, Latvala remarked, “I’m really excited to make my 20th Rally Finland start, driving the GR Yaris Rally2 together with Janni Hussi. It’s Finnish rally tradition to mark a big birthday by entering our home event, so thank you Akio Toyoda for allowing me to realise this special achievement in the year I turned 40. It’s also a chance for me to stay sharp at the wheel of a modern rally car as I provide my feedback into the development of this and other cars for TGR-WRT.”

The convergence of rallying legends and cutting-edge sustainable technology at Rally Finland serves as a compelling testament to the evolving landscape of motorsport, where environmental responsibility increasingly shares the stage with high-performance competition. Toyota's consistent pursuit of hydrogen solutions underscores a promising pathway for the future of racing, aligning sporting ambition with global sustainability goals.