The Estonian set the fastest time on Mount Kasagi, edging Toyota’s Sebastien Ogier by 0.8 seconds. Toyota’s Elfyn Evans, currently second overall, lost 6.1 seconds to Tänak on the stage. Tänak now leads the rally by 21.4 seconds.
“I definitely tried to push, somehow I don’t have as good balance as I did yesterday with the hard tyre, but I felt comfortable so. We need to keep going, I think Japan is never comfortable,” Tänak remarked.
Ogier climbed to third overall despite a puncture on Friday. However, the Frenchman remains over two minutes behind Tänak. The fight for third place is intense, with M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux just 1.6 seconds behind Ogier, while Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta trails Fourmaux by only 4 seconds.
Citroën driver Nikolay Gryazin continues to dominate the WRC2 category, building a lead that allows him to manage his position. Finland’s Sami Pajari is nearly 1.5 minutes behind Gryazin but remains comfortably in second place, which would secure Pajari the WRC2 title.
“It’s never easy to manage a race. I’m trying to keep it safe but still maintain a rhythm. When you can go flat out, it’s simpler,” Pajari explained.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville has climbed to ninth overall despite the technical issues that plagued his Friday. Pajari is just 0.3 seconds ahead of the Belgian, meaning Neuville is likely to gain at least one more position on Saturday.
Three more stages remain on Saturday at Rally Japan, with the event concluding on Sunday.
Rally Japan standings after SS13/21:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 2:14:19.5 |
| 2. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +21.4 |
| 3. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +2:15.8 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +2:17.4 |
| 5. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +2:21.4 |
| 6. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +2:53.7 |
| 7. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +6:19.3 |
| 8. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +7:47.9 |
| 9. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +7:48.2 |
| 10. | Hiroki Arai | Skoda | +8:29.2 |
| 11. | Heikki Kovalainen | Toyota | +8:59.1 |
| 12. | Chris Ingram | Toyota | +9:20.6 |
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
