SS8-9: Thierry Neuville vents frustration after dramatic rally day – Ott Tänak in position to strike

Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville was set to play it safe in Japan and secure his first World Championship title by the end of the rally. However, his plans were derailed on the third stage of the morning when a technical issue struck his Hyundai.

Although Neuville managed to nurse his car to the stage finish, the major challenge was the lack of a full service break during the day – only a short tyre fitting zone was available. This forced Neuville to drive without full power for the remainder of the day.

By the end of Friday, Neuville had lost a massive 7 minutes and 41.3 seconds to his teammate Ott Tänak, who leads Rally Japan.

“I can’t find any positives from the day. When the car was working the feeling was good, that’s the only positive,” Neuville lamented, now sitting in 15th place overall.

The crucial provisional points will be awarded after Saturday evening’s standings. If his car can be fully repaired during Friday night’s service, Neuville still has a chance to climb into the points.

Neuville’s situation has become significantly more complicated. He needs six points from the rally to secure his championship and prevent Tänak from overtaking him.

With Neuville’s troubles, Tänak has a slim opportunity to claim the title. If Neuville fails to move up to sixth place on Saturday, the championship battle will go down to the wire on Rally Japan’s final day, Sunday.

Tänak extended his lead over Toyota’s Elfyn Evans during Friday afternoon’s loop, ending the day 20.9 seconds ahead.

“There are two stages [tomorrow] that we know, one is new. Looking forward to the challenge ahead,” Tänak previewed Saturday.

“Naturally a bit disappointed with the afternoon, there was potential there to do a bit better than that. Hopefully tomorrow is a bit more consistent from us,” Evans reflected on his day.

M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmaux holds third place at the end of Friday, but he is closely followed by Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta and Sebastien Ogier, who are keen to score points for the manufacturers’ championship.

Ogier’s rally started poorly on Friday morning when he lost two minutes changing a tyre. At that point, it seemed unlikely that Toyota could challenge Hyundai for the manufacturers’ title.

However, the situation has taken a dramatic turn. First, Neuville encountered his problems, and later Hyundai’s Andreas Mikkelsen crashed into a tree and retired. Toyota now has an excellent opportunity to close the gap to Hyundai by Saturday evening, when the first points of the weekend will be awarded. The manufacturers’ title battle will likely be decided during Rally Japan’s Super Sunday.

Rally Japan continues on Saturday with seven stages.

Rally Japan standings after SS9/21:

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