Rally Japan: Evans extends lead as Solberg and Ogier battle fiercely

Elfyn Evans has established a comfortable lead at the Rally Japan, benefiting from a more favourable second loop over dried-out stages. Behind the Welshman, Oliver Solberg and Sébastien Ogier are locked in a tight battle, while Thierry Neuville expresses frustration with his Hyundai‘s behaviour.

The World Rally Championship has returned to Japan, and the day was characterised by fluctuating road conditions that reshuffled the order. After a morning made tricky by dampness, the afternoon saw the tarmac dry out, favouring faster times and intensifying the fights at the top.

Capricious weather reshapes the times

The day began under uncertain skies, with some stages retaining damp and muddy sections. These conditions, often advantageous for the road opener, allowed Elfyn Evans to build part of his lead. However, the real test came on the second pass through the stages, particularly Isegami, the longest of the rally. Contrary to expectations, the sun made a notable appearance, drying out most of the courses. This changing weather significantly tightened the gaps, altering the race’s complexion between the first and second loops.

Solberg and Ogier, a millimetre duel

On the dried-out stages, the pecking order closed up, placing Oliver Solberg and Sébastien Ogier within a hair’s breadth of each other. The young Toyota driver set a new fastest time in Asuke 2, ahead of Ogier and Evans. Later, despite a slight scare and contact with a guardrail, Solberg again showed his speed. Sébastien Ogier, meanwhile, clawed back precious seconds from his direct rivals, once again demonstrating his rapid adaptation to the conditions. Their fight for second place promises to be one of the hot topics of this rally.

Neuville irked: “Same old story”

For Thierry Neuville, the Rally Japan is proving a trial. The Belgian, Hyundai’s lead driver, is struggling to find pace on the now-fast Japanese tarmac. “I’m on the limit everywhere, I have to slow down to be able to turn,” he lamented. He pointed to his car’s behaviour: “Once we have the hard tyres, the balance is lost. We can’t do much. It’s the same story with this car since the beginning. It’s not made to go fast in these conditions.” A statement that speaks volumes about the Korean manufacturer’s difficulties on this round.

Evans solid leader, Katsuta struggles

Despite less favourable conditions on the dried stages, Elfyn Evans managed to extend his overall lead. The Welshman, thanks to his consistency and better adaptation to the changing surfaces, finishes the first day with a comfortable margin. Conversely, local driver Takamoto Katsuta continues to struggle on home turf. Unable to find the expected pace, he remains off the pace, far from his Toyota teammates’ performances.

Towards a marathon day

Saturday promises to be a decisive day with a packed schedule for the Rally Japan competitors. Eight stages are on the menu, promising a marathon day where managing effort and the car will be paramount. The starting order will be reversed, placing Elfyn Evans last, which could reshuffle the cards depending on the road conditions encountered by the first crews.