Sébastien Ogier produced a commanding performance to top the Rally Japan Friday results, leading a Toyota Gazoo Racing 1-2-3 after six asphalt stages.
Ogier Sets the Pace
The eight-time world champion won three stages and ended Friday with a 7.9-second lead over teammate Takamoto Katsuta. His consistency impressed on tight forest climbs and mixed grip sections.
Katsuta Thrills Home Fans
Katsuta took top-three times on most stages, including a stage win on Shinshiro. He remained confident in his car and ready to take calculated risks later.
Evans Maintains Championship Position
Elfyn Evans finished third, 2.3 seconds behind Katsuta, despite describing his car as “not quite clicking.” He remains well positioned in the championship fight.
Challenges and Setbacks
Kalle Rovanperä dropped outside the top 10 after a barrier impact damaged his rear suspension, losing several minutes early on Friday.
Hyundai Performs Respectably
Adrien Fourmaux finished fourth, narrowly ahead of Sami Pajari. Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville sat sixth and seventh as their Hyundai i20 N adapted to Japan’s narrow asphalt roads.
Incidents and Retirements
Josh McErlean crashed his M-Sport Ford Puma on SS3, ending his day. Both crew members were unhurt, but they will not restart Saturday’s seven-stage program.
Performance Highlights
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 showed precision handling and impressive acceleration on technical asphalt. Ogier’s driving emphasized consistency, braking control, and stage-winning pace.
Friday Standings Overview
| Pos | Driver / Co-driver | Car | Time / Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | S Ogier / V Landais FRA | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | 1h 11m 48.2s |
| 2 | T Katsuta / A Johnston JPN | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +7.9s |
| 3 | E Evans / S Martin GBR | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +10.2s |
| 4 | A Fourmaux / A Coria FRA | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | +24.0s |
| 5 | S Pajari / M Salminen FIN | Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 | +24.3s |
| 6 | O Tänak / M Järveoja EST | Hyundai i20 N Rally1 | +1m 12.3s |
Summary
Sébastien Ogier leads Toyota 1-2-3 after Rally Japan Friday, demonstrating control across challenging asphalt stages. Evans holds third while Rovanperä faces recovery, setting the stage for an exciting weekend.
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Source: WRC
