The Toyota drivers are also locked in the fight for this year’s World Rally Championship crown, with both chasing victory in the penultimate round of the season. Ogier needs points more urgently than his team-mate, as Evans leads the standings by 13 points ahead of Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä.
Evans had closed in on Ogier during the day on Japan’s asphalt roads, but in the afternoon the eight-time world champion struck back with a stunning stage win to open up a small gap to the Welshman. Ogier then went fastest again on the day-ending super special in Toyota City, heading into the overnight halt with a 6.5-second advantage. The fierce fight for victory is set to continue on Sunday.
The final day promises higher stakes and greater risk. Up to ten extra points are available, but changing weather conditions could make things far more complicated – and potentially dramatic. The latest forecasts predict heavy rain, which could turn the stages extremely slippery and unpredictable.
Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux begins the final leg in third place, 23.6 seconds off the lead. The Frenchman pulled clear of Toyota’s Sami Pajari on Saturday; the Finn is fourth overall and 21.8 seconds adrift of the final podium spot.
There was little progress from Hyundai’s Ott Tänak, who simply drove through the stages without pushing. The Estonian sits fifth, more than two minutes behind the lead.
After losing significant time on Friday, Kalle Rovanperä charged into the points on Saturday in Japan. The Finnish driver ended the day in seventh place, giving him at least six championship points based on his current position.
Rovanperä is unlikely to climb higher purely on pace, as he trails Gregoire Munster in sixth by almost two minutes. However, he must attack on Sunday to collect additional points and keep alive his slim mathematical title hopes.
Rovanperä benefited from the misfortune of his team-mate Takamoto Katsuta and Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville on Saturday. Neuville was forced to retire in the morning with technical issues, while Katsuta dropped out of the victory fight in the afternoon after damaging his car.
Rally Japan concludes on Sunday with six remaining special stages.
Rally Japan standings after SS14/20:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | 2:32:55.0 |
| 2. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +6.5 |
| 3. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +23.6 |
| 4. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +45.4 |
| 5. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +2:34.5 |
| 6. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +4:39.6 |
| 7. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +6:27.9 |
| 8. | Oliver Solberg | Toyota | +6:40.6 |
| 9. | Alejandro Cachon | Toyota | +7:54.9 |
| 10. | Nikolay Gryazin | Skoda | +8:21.8 |
Rally Japan itinerary (CET):
Thursday 6 November
01:01 Shakedown: Kuragaike Park (2.75 km)
08:05 SS1: Kuragaike Park SSS (2.75 km)
Friday 7 November
23:06 SS2: Inabu / Shitara 1 (17.08 km)
00:29 SS3: Shinshiro 1 (17.41 km)
02:02 SS4: Isegami’s Tunnel 1 (19.66 km)
03:57 Service (40 min)
05:35 SS5: Isegami’s Tunnel 2 (19.66 km)
06:53 SS6: Inabu / Shitara 2 (17.08 km)
08:16 SS7: Shinshiro 2 (17.41 km)
Saturday 8 November
23:23 SS8: Obara 1 (16.44 km)
00:34 SS9: Ena 1 (21.25 km)
02:05 SS10: Mt Kasagi 1 (21.74 km)
04:35 SS11: Mt Kasagi 2 (21.74 km)
06:08 SS12: Ena 2 (21.25 km)
07:21 SS13: Obara 2 (16.44 km)
09:35 SS14: Toyota City SSS (3.05 km)
Sunday 9 November
00:39 SS15: Nukata 1 (20.23 km)
01:35 SS16: Lake Mikawako 1 (13.98 km)
02:53 SS17: Okazaki SSS 1 (1.98 km)
03:04 SS18: Okazaki SSS 2 (1.98 km)
04:33 SS19: Nukata 2 (20.23 km)
06:15 SS20: Lake Mikawako 2 (13.98 km) *Power Stage
