WRC – Ogier Conquers Rain-Soaked Rally Japan to Keep WRC Dream Alive

Sébastien Ogier delivered a masterclass in control and composure to win the rain-hit FORUM8 Rally Japan, keeping his World Rally Championship hopes alive heading into the Saudi Arabian finale. The eight-time champion outpaced Toyota teammate and points leader Elfyn Evans by 11.6 seconds after a relentless wet-weather showdown across Aichi and Gifu.

Rain Turns Rally Japan into a Battle of Nerves

Persistent rain hammered the final six stages, flooding sections of asphalt and testing every driver’s nerve. Evans began the final day just 6.5 seconds behind and briefly closed the gap on the opening stage. Yet Ogier immediately countered, regaining control on the next run and maintaining his advantage through the day.

Toyota Dominates with a Home Podium Sweep

Behind the two title contenders, chaos struck early. Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, who started third overnight, slid into the trees and retired after damaging his i20 N Rally1. The incident opened the door for Finland’s Sami Pajari to claim his first-ever WRC podium, completing a historic 1-2-3 sweep for Toyota on home soil.

Pajari’s consistent pace through treacherous conditions capped off a breakout season for the 23-year-old, who demonstrated remarkable maturity under pressure. His podium marked another high point for Toyota Gazoo Racing’s commanding performance in Japan.

Ogier Outpaces Evans in the Wet

Evans fought hard but a brief off-track moment on the Okazaki super special, sliding down a grassy embankment, cost him precious seconds. Ogier stayed clean, stretching his lead to 8.3 seconds before sealing the win on the final two stages. His victory narrows Evans’ championship lead to just three points, setting up a high-stakes finale in Saudi Arabia.

“It’s obviously a perfect result,” Ogier reflected. “After all the rain today, nothing was certain. The car felt great after a big set-up change this morning, and the team did a fantastic job. Now, everything will come down to the last round.”

Strong Finishes Throughout the Field

Behind Toyota’s trio, Ott Tänak salvaged fourth despite a puncture that slowed his Hyundai early in the day. The Estonian still managed to take a stage win on SS15, showing flashes of speed in challenging conditions. Ford’s Grégoire Munster matched his career-best finish with fifth overall, while Kalle Rovanperä climbed to sixth after repairing suspension damage from Friday.

Further down the order, Oliver Solberg led the Rally2 contingent in his Toyota GR Yaris, finishing seventh overall. In WRC2, Spain’s Alejandro Cachón secured victory over Nikolay Gryazin, while Jan Solans rounded out the top ten after a late spin.

Engine Power, Precision, and Performance

The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 once again proved its dominance, blending power and precision across slippery Japanese tarmac. Ogier’s smooth inputs and efficient use of hybrid boost allowed him to maintain consistent pace despite rivers of standing water. The GR Yaris’ stability and grip in wet conditions underscored Toyota’s engineering advantage over its rivals.

Championship Battle Heads to Saudi Arabia

With just one round remaining, the WRC title race is now wide open. Evans leads with 272 points, Ogier follows at 269, and Rovanperä remains mathematically in contention at 248. The inaugural Rally Saudi Arabia, a gravel event based in Jeddah from November 26 to 29, will decide it all.

Summary

Ogier’s Rally Japan victory reignites one of the closest WRC title battles in years. His calm mastery in torrential rain, combined with Toyota’s total domination, sets the stage for a thrilling final showdown in Saudi Arabia. One thing is certain, the 2025 WRC season will go down to the wire.

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Source: WRC