Sébastien Ogier resisted a relentless challenge from Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans to hold a slim 6.5-second lead heading into Sunday’s FORUM8 Rally Japan finale. The Toyota Gazoo Racing pair spent the day locked in a fierce WRC showdown across seven demanding asphalt stages north of Toyota City.
Ogier Holds the Upper Hand After Day of Swings
Ogier led from the start but saw his advantage reduced to just 1.6 seconds midway through the afternoon. However, he responded on the closing stages to rebuild a modest gap, ending the day in control as both Toyota drivers pushed to the limit.
Evans Closes In Early With Milestone Win
Evans began the day 10.2 seconds adrift but immediately made gains, setting a blistering pace on the opening pass of Mt Kasagi. That stage marked his 200th career WRC stage win and signaled his intent to challenge Ogier all the way to the finish.
The repeated run through Mt Kasagi proved disastrous for home hero Takamoto Katsuta. The Japanese driver struck a water barrier and broke his power steering, ending his podium hopes after running third overall. His retirement shifted the battle behind Toyota toward Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux.
Afternoon Fightback from Ogier
As grip levels improved, Ogier rebuilt his rhythm. He edged Evans by 0.3 seconds on Ena 2 and extended the gap by another 3.2 seconds on the repeat run through Obara. Evans brushed a patch of loose asphalt late in the day, partly de-beading a tyre that cost him more precious time.
Despite losing ground, Evans’ performance kept him firmly in the championship fight. He arrived in Japan with a 13-point cushion over Ogier, but that lead could shrink to five points if results hold. With bonus points still available from Super Sunday and the Wolf Power Stage, the title remains wide open.
Ogier Reflects on a Tight Day
“I feel I’ve done a good job this afternoon, but I could have done better this morning,” Ogier said. “We lost a bit too much early on, but the car has been great and the pace very strong. Elfyn has been right there, pushing hard, so every second matters. Going into the final day in front, it’s positive.”
Fourmaux Shines as Katsuta Retires
Adrien Fourmaux delivered one of his best days for Hyundai Motorsport. The Frenchman won two morning stages and moved into third overall after Katsuta’s retirement. “It’s been a strong day,” he said. “Demanding and sometimes greasy, but it seems to be working well.”
Behind him, Toyota’s Sami Pajari maintained composure in fourth, while Ott Tänak placed fifth for Hyundai. Grégoire Munster held sixth for M-Sport Ford, followed by Kalle Rovanperä, who continued his steady recovery from Friday’s suspension damage.
Further Down the Order
Oliver Solberg climbed to eighth overall after a clean run, while Alejandro Cachón kept command of WRC2 in ninth ahead of Nikolay Gryazin. The latter again struggled with front-end grip on the narrow Japanese tarmac. Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville’s luckless run continued after a broken driveshaft forced his retirement early in the day. He is expected to restart on Sunday to target Power Stage points.
Performance and Pace Insights
Both Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 cars displayed balanced setups across the twisty Japanese asphalt. Ogier’s confidence under braking helped him stay clean through the narrow mountain passes, while Evans relied on late apex precision to keep pressure on. Hyundai’s i20 N showed strong one-lap pace, but consistency remained an issue across long loops.
Summary
With just six stages and 72.38 km remaining, Sébastien Ogier carries a narrow advantage over Elfyn Evans into the final day of Rally Japan. Toyota holds firm control of the event, but the championship equation remains unpredictable. Rain is forecast for Sunday, setting up a tense finale where every second will count in this WRC title fight.
Disclaimer: Content on this site is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Details, analyses, and opinions reflect current trends and personal views, not professional or financial advice. Always verify information with official sources before making any decisions.
Source: WRC
