Drama unfolded right from the first stage as Hyundai’s Andreas Mikkelsen’s car was filled with slightly too little fuel. This careless mistake could impact the crucial manufacturers’ championship battle.
“I was empty of fuel. The car started stopping,” Mikkelsen explained.
Hyundai’s mistake was evident in the times, as Mikkelsen was only eighth fastest on the stage, trailing the leader by 3.7 seconds.
The standout performer of the opening stage was M-Sport’s Adrien Fourmaux. The Frenchman delivered a stunning stage win, beating Hyundai’s Ott Tänak by half a second.
Takamoto Katsuta also excelled in front of his home crowd at Toyota Stadium, finishing third fastest, just 0.8 seconds off the lead.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans was fourth fastest, with Sebastien Ogier fifth. Ogier had a noticeable gap to his teammate Fourmaux.
“Not so great. We always struggle here, still didn’t get the setup we need here,” Ogier admitted at the stage finish.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who is chasing his first drivers’ championship, avoided risks on the opening stage. The Belgian was sixth fastest, 2.2 seconds behind the leader.
“We are counting down the stages for sure. The bigger stages are coming. The objectives are clear for the team, everyone is motivated and at the same time relaxed,” Neuville commented.
In WRC2, Toyota’s Sami Pajari, vying for the championship, was tenth fastest on the opening stage, narrowly losing out to Nikolay Gryazin. Heikki Kovalainen finished 12th fastest.
Rally Japan standings after SS1/21:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | 1:44.4 |
| 2. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +0.5 |
| 3. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +0.8 |
| 4. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +0.9 |
| 5. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +2.2 |
| 6. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +2.2 |
| 7. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +2.8 |
| 8. | Andreas Mikkelsen | Hyundai | +3.7 |
| 9. | Nikolai Grjazin | Citroen | +4.5 |
| 10. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +6.5 |
Rally Japan itinerary (CET):
Thursday 21 November
01.01 Shakedown: Kuragaike Park (2.75 km)
11.05 SS1: Toyota Stadium SSS 1 (2.15 km)
Friday, 22 November
23:44 SS2: Isegami's Tunnel 1 (23.67 km)
00:44 SS3: Inabu / Shitara 1 (19.38 km)
02:12 SS4: Shinshiro 1 (17.41 km)
04:27 Tyre service (15 min)
05:32 SS5: Isegami's Tunnel 2 (23.67 km)
06:32 SS6: Inabu / Shitara 2 (19.38 km)
08:00 SS7: Shinshiro 2 (17.41 km)
10:35 SS8: Okazaki SSS 1 (2.54 km)
10:44 SS9: Okazaki SSS 2 (2.54 km)
Saturday, 23 November
00:05 SS10: Mt. Kasagi 1 (16.47 km)
01:03 SS11: Nenoue Kougen 1 (11.60 km)
02:16 SS12: Ena 1 (22.79 km)
04:04 Tyre service (15 min)
05:05 SS13: Mt. Kasagi 2 (16.47 km)
06:08 SS14: Nenoue Kougen 2 (11.60 km)
07:16 SS15: Ena 2 (22.79 km)
10:07 Service break (45 min)
11:05 SS16: Toyota Stadium SSS 2 (2.15 km)
Sunday, 24 November
23:39 SS17: Nukata 1 (20.23 km)
00:35 SS18: Lake Mikawako 1 (13.98 km)
01:38 SS19: Nukata 2 (20.23 km)
03:49 Service break (15 min)
04:17 SS20: Toyota Stadium SSS 3 (2.15 km)
06:15 SS21: Lake Mikawako 2 (13.98 km) Power Stage
