The Toyota driver was forced to stop midway through the Isegami’s Tunnel stage to change a punctured tyre. The unscheduled stop cost the Frenchman around two minutes and left Toyota with an uphill battle in their quest for a top result.
This misfortune is a massive setback for Toyota, who need a strong performance in the season finale. Hyundai leads the manufacturers’ championship by 15 points, and Ogier’s fall from the lead fight further complicates Toyota’s mission.
At the stage end, Ogier offered no further explanation for why his front left tyre failed. TV footage showed no notable incidents during his run through the stage.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak set the fastest times on the rally’s first forest stage. Neuville’s strategy for the weekend is to drive consistently and safely, aiming to secure his maiden world championship by Sunday. On the Isegami’s Tunnel stage, the Belgian avoided risks but benefited from his first starting position.
Neuville edged his teammate Tänak by 1.2 seconds on the stage, putting Tänak in the overall lead with Neuville just 0.5 seconds behind him.
“There were less leaves than I expected. I tried to have a clean run,” Neuville summarised.
“It’s difficult to know what the tyres will do. I tried to save them. We had a clean run,” Tänak added.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans was the only driver able to somewhat match the pace of the Hyundai duo. Evans finished five seconds behind Neuville’s stage-winning time, securing third place overall.
The rest of the field fell well behind the leaders. Adrien Fourmaux, who led the rally after Thursday’s super special stage, lost 46.9 seconds to Neuville and dropped to fourth place.
“There were a lot of leaves on the road, which made it unusual. Every corner was very tricky,” Fourmaux explained.
Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta also suffered a puncture on the opening stage of the day, falling a minute behind the leaders. The Japanese driver is now ninth overall.
The unusual conditions were underscored by WRC2 drivers Nikolay Gryazin and Sami Pajari, who slotted into fifth and sixth overall, ahead of several Rally1 competitors. Gryazin leads the WRC2 category, but Pajari, who is chasing the WRC2 championship, is only 2.8 seconds behind.
Seven more stages are scheduled for Friday at Rally Japan, with the event concluding on Sunday.
Rally Japan standings after SS2/21:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 20:13.5 |
| 2. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +0.5 |
| 3. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +4.2 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +45.2 |
| 5. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +47.4 |
| 6. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +50.2 |
| 7. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +52.5 |
| 8. | Andreas Mikkelsen | Hyundai | +56.9 |
| 9. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +1:03.0 |
| 10. | Gus Greensmith | Skoda | +1:11.7 |
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
