Tänak and Neuville have been running almost neck-and-neck on the first two stages of Friday morning. On the second stage of the day, Tänak outpaced his teammate by 1.4 seconds, extending his overall lead to 1.9 seconds.
“The conditions were more consistent, but it’s tricky with understeer,” Tänak commented.
Neuville is in a comfortable position, as he doesn’t need an outstanding result in Japan’s tarmac rally to secure his first world championship title. The Belgian benefitted from the conditions on the opening stage, as most drivers starting further back struggled to match the pace of the Hyundai stars.
“We said in the beginning of the event that we would constantly adjust our pace. In the tricky places, we’re already taking it easier. We’re just trying to make it through,” Neuville explained.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans remains in the fight for the lead, trailing Neuville by just 0.6 seconds. However, there is no immediate threat behind him, as fourth-placed Adrien Fourmaux is already a minute off the lead.
Sebastien Ogier, who suffered a puncture on Friday’s opening stage, was fastest on the Inabu-Shitara stage. Despite this, the Frenchman remains two minutes adrift of first place.
“I don’t know what I should do now. I’m speechless. It’s hard to find motivation; the situation doesn’t look good,” said Ogier, who is currently 10th overall.
In the WRC2 category, championship contender Sami Pajari faced a setback on the second stage of the day when his front left tyre came off the rim. The Finnish driver lost over 30 seconds.
“I didn’t feel any impact, and I’m not sure where it came off. Now we’ll have to push hard,” Pajari said.
Pajari needs to finish in the top two in Japan to secure the WRC2 title. His situation is not alarming yet, as he currently holds second place in the category.
Six more stages are scheduled for Friday at Rally Japan, with the event concluding on Sunday.
Rally Japan standings after SS3/21:
| POS | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | 32:31.8 |
| 2. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +1.9 |
| 3. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +2.5 |
| 4. | Adrien Fourmaux | Ford | +1:00.8 |
| 5. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +1:05.9 |
| 6. | Andreas Mikkelsen | Hyundai | +1:09.5 |
| 6. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +1:09.5 |
| 8. | Nikolay Gryazin | Citroen | +1:14.4 |
| 9. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +1:59.2 |
| 10. | Sebastien Ogier | Toyota | +2:02.9 |
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
