Arch-rival Toyota has wiped the floor with Hyundai all year. With 12 rounds completed, Hyundai has managed just one victory. Ott Tänak celebrated first place in Greece at the end of June, but in every other rally, the winner has been a Toyota driver.
Hyundai has already turned its focus to the 2026 rally season, with the manufacturers’ world title having gone to Toyota for the fifth consecutive time. However, in this week’s Rally Japan, Hyundai will surely be eager to challenge its rival, as this is Toyota’s home event – held in the manufacturer’s own hometown, no less.
“We’re looking to Rally Japan with a view to continue the development of our tarmac performance, following the intensive work done before Central European Rally. While we can be encouraged by our steps forward in recent weeks – with both Thierry (Neuville) and Ott (Tänak) taking stage wins at CER,” says Hyundai Motorsport WRC Sporting Director Andrew Wheatley.
“We need to keep the foot on the gas for this final tarmac event of the year, and ready for the start of the 2026 season.”
Tänak still has a theoretical chance of becoming world champion, but it would require a massive failure from Toyota’s leading trio. The Estonian driver is 50 points behind championship leader Elfyn Evans. The gap to Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä is also a hefty 37 points.
“With 70 points still available, Ott and Martin (co-driver Järveoja) remain one of the four crews still in the fight for the drivers’ championship, but this event will require them to be in a strong position to capitalise on any issues for their fellow competitors if they are to take the battle to the last round.”
