Evans Dominates SS12 Japan as Ogier's Victory Hopes Fade

Elfyn Evans strengthened his grip on the Rally Japan lead by winning SS12, heavily deflating teammate Sebastien Ogier's overall victory hopes.

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Edeh Cupe 1 hour ago

Evans Kuasai SS12 Rally Japan, Peluang Ogier Kian Menipis

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Toyota Gazoo Racing's Elfyn Evans completely strengthened his grip on the absolute lead of Rally Japan by unleashing a blistering pace to master Special Stage 12 (SS12). Before entering the short spectator super special stages later in the itinerary, the crews faced a punishing second pass through the demanding Obara stage. The repeat afternoon run introduced severe operational challenges, including rapidly changing light conditions, intense cockpit heat, and a heavily contaminated road surface covered in loose dirt that drastically reduced mechanical grip levels.

Evans navigated the deteriorating conditions with supreme technical precision, beating a flying Sami Pajari by a mere 0.7 seconds to secure the definitive stage victory. Crucially for the overall classification, the Welshman extracted an additional 2.3 seconds out of his teammate and main title rival, eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier. The time loss left paddock insiders whispering that the deficit might now be mathematically out of reach for the Frenchman. Evans, however, maintained a perfectly calm demeanor, stating that the team will keep their heads down until the final flying finish because unpredictable factors can always alter the classification.

Pari Finds Crucial Pace as Katsuta Mounts Local Attack

Pajari continued his stellar Saturday form, nearly securing a second consecutive stage win for his Toyota squad. When questioned by reporters about the sudden evolution in his driving confidence, the Finnish prodigy delivered a concise response, stating he simply found the car's sweet spot and pace. Meanwhile, local hero Takamoto Katsuta remains anchored in fourth overall. Facing a 23.2-second deficit to Pajari for the final temporary podium spot, Katsuta adamantly vowed to fight on, targeting a second-by-second attack while heavily focusing on the high-value Super Sunday and Power Stage point allocations.

Solberg Crashing Repeatedly, Ogier Demands Better Risk Management

Persistent Handbrake Malfunctions Plaguing Hyundai

Further down the running order, Adrien Fourmaux maintained his status as the premier Hyundai entry in a lonely fifth place, sitting comfortably ahead of his battling garage partner. While Fourmaux smiled about the beautiful Japanese weather, Thierry Neuville endured continued frustration in sixth overall, trailing the Frenchman by 15.2 seconds. Neuville confessed that terminal mechanical issues regarding his hydraulic handbrake system continue to plague the car's corner rotation. The team's engineering crew is now forced to revert to previous suspension and differential base settings overnight, desperately hoping to restore mechanical balance before Sunday's final leg concludes.

WRC JEPANG 2026 SESI: SS12

POS	RIDER / TEAM	TIME / GAP
1	Elfyn EvansToyota	2:28:23.6s Britania Raya
2	Sebastien OgierToyota	2:28:43.6s Prancis
3	Sami PajariToyota	2:29:11.0s Finlandia
4	Takamoto KatsutaToyota	2:29:34.2s Jepang
5	Adrien FourmauxHyundai	2:30:22.1s Prancis
6	Thierry NeuvilleHyundai	2:30:40.8s Belgia
7	Hayden PaddonHyundai	2:32:04.0s Selandia Baru
8	Jon ArmstrongFord	2:32:52.2s Irlandia Utara
9	Nikolai GrjazinLancia	2:35:30.8s Bulgaria
10	Alejandro CachonToyota	2:35:36.8s Spanyol