It’s all in the aura. I’ve been fortunate to interview an assortment of royalty, presidents and prime ministers from countries near and far and the set-up is always fairly similar: lots of folk on the periphery taking their cue from the face in the middle. If they smile, everybody smiles.
Walking into an interview with Toyota chairman chairman Akio Toyoda, nothing had changed. He was surrounded by a team of people looking very serious – some of them with cameras, documenting every moment, even a boom mic and an interpreter.
Akio arrived, adjusted the Toyota cap which sat just north of his cool Oakley specs and sat down. He smiled.
“My first time here,” he said. “I’ve never been to Monte Carlo before. It’s… beautiful.”
And this weekend, the principality was looking even more beautiful than ever – with a trio of GR Yaris Rally1s arriving into Monaco dominating the leaderboard on the opening round of the 2026 World Rally Championship.
“It’s really exciting that our drivers are candidates for the podium positions,” he said, “this situation makes me happy.”
The difference from other big interviews was already starting to shine through. Questions went through the interpreter and as Toyoda delivered his response in Japanese, his entourage laughed, smiled and, at times, giggled. The atmosphere around him was focused, business-like and a whole lot of fun.
I’d only interviewed him once before, but immediately I was reminded of what an engaged and engaging character he is. He has the reputation of a man who lives his life through the sport – news of the latest limited edition GR Yaris Morizo RR only served to strengthen such repute. But when you sit next to him and listen to him talking about the sport, the cars, the team and his life, you begin to understand that he’s absolutely the same as you and I.
He’s a man very much in love with cars. Not that he’s always been able to talk in such terms.
“From when I was a child, until I was around 50 years old I was not able to drive as I wished,” he said. “There were people who were resisting me driving and I wasn’t even able to speak out that I really love cars – that was the kind of life I lived until 50. Around that time, I decided for the remaining time I would do what I want to do, what I love.”
And that’s not only to drive cars, but to work as one of Toyota’s storied and legendary ‘master drivers’ and have genuine input into how cars work.
Toyoda is a huge motorsport and rallying fan, but would he like to drive the Monte?
“I think you’re aware,” he told DirtFish, “I love cars and I love to drive cars. Right now I’m working for a car company and what I want to do is be able to develop cars I would want to select and put in my own garage. The Morizo RR is one of those kind of cars.”
At least some of that development and input comes from Toyoda’s time competing at the Nürburgring 24-hour race – he’ll be back at the wheel of a GR Yaris for that day-long German classic in May. But what about rallying? Would he fancy a shot at the Monte?
There’s barely a pause. The interpreter has just begun to do her work, when Toyoda frowns a deep-set frown.
“No!”
The answer is as fast as it is firm. And, to me, serious. But this is where the giggling came. Those closest to him knew this was Akio at his playful best.
“It’s more comfortable,” he grinned, “to continue to be the chairman of the team.”
As ever in Monte Carlo last week, the whole DirtFish team was both delighted and privileged to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the world’s best motorsport fans – none more so than Morizo. With people like him – and those around him – fighting our corner, the sport of rallying has every chance of returning to the halcyon days.
There’s plenty more to come from a hugely insightful and fascinating face-to-face with Toyoda, including his thoughts on the WRC’s return to America, hydrogen power and Oliver Solberg.
Stay tuned.
