Hyundai already working on “Plan B” for 2026 WRC driver line-up
Hyundai had already been working on a “Plan B” for its 2026 World Rally Championship driver line-up should it lose Ott Tanak from its team. Tanak today announced plans to take a break from full-time rallying and leave the Korean brand following the Saudi Arabia season finale later this month. The 38-year-old stated that he […]
Adrien Fourmaux rips door from car in strange crash
Adrien Fourmaux has retired from third position after a wild moment in wet conditions at Rally Japan that resulted in the Hyundai World Rally Championship driver losing the passenger door from his i20 N. Fourmaux had led Hyundai’s charge through what has been a difficult rally for the Korean brand but his fine drive came to […]
Heavy rain could turn WRC Rally Japan into “lottery” on final day
Forecasted heavy rain and limited experience on wet asphalt with this year’s tyres will render the final day of Rally Japan a “lottery”, according to World Rally Championship leader Elfyn Evans. Since the start of the week, teams have been expecting rain showers on Sunday to add an extra curveball in what could prove to […]
Sebastien Ogier responds to Elfyn Evans’ charge to extend lead
Sebastien Ogier fended off a charge from World Rally Championship title rival Elfyn Evans to hang onto the Rally Japan lead heading into the final day of competition Ogier came under attack from championship leader Evans across Saturday’s seven asphalt stages, but was able to issue a fightback in the afternoon to end the day […]
Kalle Rovanpera crashes early in SS3 drama
Kalle Rovanpera’s bid for a third World Rally Championship title suffered a blow after damaging his Toyota’s suspension in stage three of Rally Japan. Rovanpera led the rally overnight after winning Thursday night’s super special stage, but slipped to fourth after Friday morning’s first stage, before drama struck in stage three [Shinshiro 1 — 17.41 […]
Sebastien Ogier leads Toyota 1-2-3 ahead of Takamoto Katsuta
Sebastien Ogier delivered an impressive drive to end Friday leading Rally Japan ahead of Toyota team-mates Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans as the World Rally Championship title fight took another twist. Ogier claimed three of Friday’s six technical asphalt stages to open up a 7.9s lead over Katsuta, with championship leader Evans 10.2s in arrears. […]
Sebastien Ogier snatches lead as Kalle Rovanpera hits trouble
Sebastien Ogier has moved into a slender Rally Japan lead from World Rally Championship leader Elfyn Evans after fellow title contender Kalle Rovanpera hit trouble. Ogier snatched the rally lead on stage four [Isegami’s Tunnel 1,19.66km] taking a 1.0s advantage over Evans heading into the midday service, with Toyota’s Japanese star Takamoto Katsuta in third, 1.7s […]
Ott Tanak tight-lipped on WRC future as speculation mounts
Ott Tanak says he “more or less” knows his plans for 2026 as speculation continues to mount around the Hyundai driver’s future in the World Rally Championship. The 2019 world champion has emerged as a key player in this year’s silly season, with the Estonian yet to reveal his plans for 2026. Another season at […]
Kalle Rovanpera grabs early lead, promises full attack for title
Kalle Rovanpera has claimed the early lead at Rally Japan as he plans to not hold anything back in his pursuit of a third World Rally Championship title at the penultimate round of the season. The Toyota driver posted the fastest time in the opening stage at the asphalt event, with only a second separating the […]