The first full day of Rally Japan has delivered a fair share of drama, with both Toyota and Hyundai drivers encountering problems. Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier suffered a puncture early in the morning, and teammate Takamoto Katsuta faced the same issue.
Meanwhile, Hyundai’s Andreas Mikkelsen crashed into a tree on SS5, forcing him to retire. Championship contender Thierry Neuville has been plagued by severe technical issues. This series of events has not only shaken up the drivers’ championship but has also thrown the manufacturers’ title battle wide open.
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak has seized the opportunity, delivering impressive speed. Tänak set another fastest time on SS6 and now leads the rally by 20.4 seconds over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans.
“So much drier, the conditions are improving. We tried our best, we definitely tried. Let’s see how it goes,” Tänak said at the stage finish.
Sebastien Ogier also found good pace on SS6, finishing 3.9 seconds behind Tänak’s time. However, due to his morning issues, Ogier is far down in the overall standings. He did, however, manage to overtake Ford’s Gregoire Munster to move into fifth place overall.
“We are carrying extra spares which is not helping, but the feeling is not too bad in the car,” Ogier commented.
Elfyn Evans was third-fastest, 6.7 seconds behind Tänak, and remains second overall.
“I didn’t feel so bad in there, maybe I am over driving or something. It might be that (Tänak is driving hard) but maybe he is driving better,” Evans speculated.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta was fourth-fastest on the stage and holds third place overall. Thierry Neuville continues to struggle with his technical issues and is now over five minutes behind the leader. However, Neuville needs only six points from Japan to secure the drivers’ championship.
“I am driving through, it was quite dark in the forest. Without lights it is not easy, we aren’t driving fast so it is okay. Not more we can do at the moment, we have to get back the car and fix it,” Neuville summarised.
Rally Japan continues just before 08:00 Central European time with the seventh special stage.
Rally Japan standings after SS6/21:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 1:12:28.0 |
| 2. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +20.4 |
| 3. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +1:39.3 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +1:49.7 |
| 5. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +2:12.8 |
| 6. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +2:17.1 |
| 7. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +5:18.3 |
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 fitting zone (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 fitting zone (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 (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 (15 min)
04:17 SS20: Toyota Stadium SSS 3 (2.15 km)
06:15 SS21: Lake Mikawako 2 (13.98 km) Power Stage
