Doubling up as driver and team boss, Llarena piloted his squad’s Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 to seventh place on Rally di Roma Capitale, which marked the 2022 ERC champion’s first taste of driving the Japanese machine.
Thirty-year-old Llarena said “We can say we’re happy with what we’ve achieved. The problem was we just come here, sit in the car and drive. Friday was the first time in the car, I hadn’t done any kilometres with the car, I need to go step by step.
“We can still get more performance by testing a lot of set-ups, but it is what it is. If the rally started next week for sure it would be quite different especially because we have much more info [about the car], which is also really good for our customers.
“Only six months ago we make the team, we have really good mechanics, we have a car with zero problems and that’s our main goal.”
Only six months ago we make the team, we have really good mechanics, we have a car with zero problems and that’s our main goal
Llarena said it is currently unclear when he’ll be back behind the wheel next: “We would like to go to Barum but we don’t know.”
Llarena highlighted the contribution of co-driver Fernández
© ERC
Praise for co-driver Fernández
Efrén Llarena was quick to praise his long-term co-driver Sara Fernández – a double European champion – who celebrated her 200th competitive start on Rally di Roma Capitale. Llarena said: “Absolutely it’s impressive, she’s fantastic like always and doing a really good job.”