Ogier Leads Evans by 6.5 Seconds Ahead of Thrilling FORUM8 Rally Japan Finale

Toyota teammates keep title battle alive as Hyundai’s Fourmaux shines in third

Toyota City, Japan — In a high-stakes showdown that kept fans on edge, Sébastien Ogier will take a slender 6.5-second lead over teammate Elfyn Evans into Sunday’s FORUM8 Rally Japan finale. The intense Saturday action saw the Toyota Gazoo Racing pair trading tenths across seven demanding asphalt stages north of the rally’s base, setting up a dramatic finish that could decide the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) drivers’ title.

Ogier, who led from the start, briefly saw his advantage shrink to just 1.6 seconds before a late push on the final two stages restored a small but crucial buffer. “We cannot be unsatisfied with what we’ve done today—the car has been working very well, with strong pace all the time,” Ogier said. “Going into the last day in the lead, it can only be positive.”

Evans, determined to protect his 13-point championship lead, was in relentless pursuit from the outset. He closed the gap early in the day, celebrating his 200th career WRC stage win on Mt Kasagi, but later lost time after brushing loose asphalt and partly de-beading a tyre. If standings hold, Evans’ lead would narrow to just five points, leaving everything to play for in Sunday’s Super Sunday and Wolf Power Stage, where up to 10 bonus points remain up for grabs.

The day brought heartbreak for Takamoto Katsuta, who had been running third before striking a water-filled barrier and breaking his power steering, forcing his retirement. His exit opened the door for Adrien Fourmaux, who seized third overall with a commanding performance for Hyundai Motorsport. The Frenchman won two morning stages and now trails Evans by 17.8 seconds heading into the final leg. “It’s been a strong day—demanding and sometimes greasy, but it seems to be working,” Fourmaux reflected.

Behind the top trio, Sami Pajari maintained composure to finish the day fourth in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, while Ott Tänak (Hyundai) and Grégoire Munster (M-Sport Ford) completed the top six. Kalle Rovanperä, still recovering from Friday’s suspension damage, climbed to seventh, followed by Oliver Solberg in eighth. In WRC2, Alejandro Cachón continued to control the category in ninth ahead of Nikolay Gryazin.

It was a day to forget for Thierry Neuville, who suffered a broken driveshaft before the opening stage and was forced to retire early. The Belgian will rejoin on Sunday, eyeing redemption and valuable Power Stage points.

With rain forecast for Sunday’s finale — featuring six stages covering 72.38 km, including the all-important Wolf Power Stage at Lake Mikawako — the scene is set for a nail-biting finish.