Key Highlights
- Sebastien Ogier won the Rally Japan, cutting Elfyn Evans’ lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
- Ogier’s victory came despite torrential rain on the final day of the rally.
- Evan’s points advantage over Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera is now down to three before the season finale in Saudi Arabia.
- The final event, Rally Saudi Arabia, will take place from 25-29 November.
Championship Standings Shifts After Japan Rally
In a dramatic turn of events at the Rally Japan, French driver Sebastien Ogier secured his sixth win this season, significantly reducing Welsh racer Elfyn Evans’ lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC). The result has major implications for the championship race going into the final round of the season.
Sebastien Ogier Dominates Rain-soaked Final Stages
Ogier’s performance was nothing short of dominant, particularly under challenging conditions. Despite torrential rain on Super Sunday, Ogier demonstrated his superiority by topping the stage standings and securing the maximum points possible. His victory in the final bonus power stage added an additional five points to his tally.
Evan’s Struggles Lead to Narrow Championship Gap
Elfyn Evans, who had been leading the championship with a 13-point advantage over Ogier and Rovanpera going into Japan, began slowly. His early misfortune dropped him more than five minutes on Friday after he damaged his rear suspension in a collision with a barrier. Despite putting together strong performances over the weekend to rise up to second place, Evans found himself just 11.6 seconds behind Ogier at the finish.
“Overall it’s been a fun weekend to try and fight with Seb,” said Evans, who remains focused on his bid for the maiden world title. “Now we have to wait and see what happens in Saudi Arabia.”
Toyota Dominates Rally Japan
The rally saw another strong performance from Toyota drivers, with Ogier and Rovanpera securing top-three finishes despite facing pressure from Hyundai’s Ott Tanak. The Japanese manufacturer has already secured their fifth consecutive manufacturers’ title.
Kalle Rovanpera now faces an outside chance of winning his third WRC title but trails by 24 points after placing sixth in Japan. The final event, Rally Saudi Arabia, will take place from 25-29 November and is set to be the deciding factor for this year’s championship.
Final Round Awaits at Rally Saudi Arabia
The next race on the calendar, Rally Saudi Arabia, will see all eyes turn to the final round of the season. With the championship gap now so tight, every point counts as drivers aim to secure their place atop the podium.
“Now, let’s go to the next one,” Ogier said after his victory in Japan, showing his focus on the upcoming challenge. “This was a perfect weekend for us to come back so close and let’s hope the last one is not a lottery.”
The final standings in the drivers’ championship currently stand as follows:
- Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 272 points
- Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 269 points
- Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, 248 points
- Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 213 points
The race for the title is set to intensify as drivers prepare for Rally Saudi Arabia. Stay tuned for updates on this thrilling championship run.
