With two rounds remaining, Evans holds a 13-point lead over his team-mates, who are tied for second place. The Welshman therefore has a clear advantage over Ogier and Rovanperä.
Check the full World Rally Championship standings here!
Evans has his first match point already at next week’s Rally Japan, which he has won twice before. If Evans finishes the asphalt event with a lead of more than 35 points over his team-mates, the title will be his.
In practice, Evans would need to win in Japan while both Ogier and Rovanperä would have to endure a disastrous weekend. That makes it likely that the championship will instead be decided at the season finale in Saudi Arabia.
For Toyota, the situation is both delightful and exciting. The team no longer has to worry about the manufacturers’ title, as it was already secured for the Japanese marque at the previous round in Central Europe.
“It’s nice to go to Japan. It’s our second home rally. And we will have a little party afterwards,” Toyota deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen revealed.
Kankkunen promised that the team will not interfere in the battle between the drivers.
“There is a good atmosphere in the team between the drivers. I mean, they find out on the stages who is the quickest boy and who is not. They are free to drive, all of them. We give them the same chance, as good cars as we can, and they are free to try to find who is the fastest boy. And that will be interesting to see,” Kankkunen said.
For Toyota’s drivers, the situation is ideal. Each has an equal opportunity to succeed – and, in effect, the keys to their own fate.
“It has always been super nice when we have been in the fight. It’s not the case many times in motorsport,” Rovanperä emphasised.
“Toyota always tries to keep that in mind first, and that’s what they have always done. So it’s always good to know that you can choose your decisions yourself and try your best,” the Finnish star added.
Rally Japan will take place from 6–9 November.
