Final Day of the World Rally Championship in Japan: A Drenched Showdown
As the World Rally Championship in Japan reaches its climactic final day, teams prepare for an intense round of six special stages, the air thick with anticipation and the threat of heavy rain.
Current Standings
The competition is fierce, with Sébastien Ogier in the lead, clocking in at 2:45:54.0. Elfyn Evans follows closely behind, just 5.7 seconds off the pace. Rounding out the top competitors are Adrien Fourmaux, Sami Pajari, Ott Tänak, Grégoire Munster, and Kalle Rovanperä—each striving to outdo one another against the backdrop of Japan’s challenging terrain and unpredictable weather.
- Sébastien Ogier, Toyota – 2:45:54.0
- Elfyn Evans, Toyota – +5.7 seconds
- Adrien Fourmaux, Hyundai – +38.6 seconds
- Sami Pajari, Toyota – +58.2 seconds
- Ott Tänak, Hyundai – +2:28.0 minutes
- Grégoire Munster, Ford – +5:18.1 minutes
- Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota – +6:21.8 minutes
Challenges Amidst the Rain
The forecasted rain presented a daunting challenge for rally teams; some faced comical setbacks. Reigning champion Thierry Neuville found himself in a particularly tricky situation: his Hyundai’s windshield wipers failed, forcing him to withdraw from the final day’s competition.
Though heavy downpours were expected at the start of the day’s first special stage, forecasts proved fortunate, with the worst of the rain having passed by the time the race commenced. However, the wet asphalt ensured that drivers still had their work cut out for them.
Kalle Rovanperä was not deterred, pressing on with remarkable tenacity as he zeroed in on Grégoire Munster, closing the gap significantly. “The conditions are difficult—truly challenging weather, and it’s expected to stay that way throughout the day. We’ll aim for good scores,” Rovanperä stated, unfazed by the elements.
In a close match against Ott Tänak, Rovanperä was just 0.4 seconds shy of the fastest time of the day. Sami Pajari, however, struggled, finishing 19.3 seconds behind the leader. Reflecting on his experience, Pajari admitted, “At one point, I felt like I was hanging in limbo and didn’t want to push too hard. It was a tough drive.”
Adrien Fourmaux also faced misfortune, experiencing a violent exit from the course. “The windshield fogged up, and I couldn’t see. We hit something while trying to push through,” he explained. Although he remains officially part of the rally, rules prevented his car from continuing, which means both Pajari and Rovanperä are set to gain a place in the standings.
The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion, teetering between triumph and defeat, as the championship draws to a close on this tumultuous day in Japan.