Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans continue fight for World Rally crown

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025 - 16:04

Martin Walsh

As Toyota Gazoo Racing team mates Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans continue their fight for the World Rally Championship crown with the former leading the way after the opening leg of the FORUM8 Rally Japan, the Irish crew of Kilrea's Josh McErlean and Killeagh's Eoin Treacy crashed their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 some 8.9km into the 17.41km third stage, Shinshiro1.

They were tenth overall at the time, a disappointed McErlean summed up the situation. "Not great, it was a fast right-hander, we got some understeer, it was high speed, we went to the other side, hit a tree with the back left and straight into a tree with the front. It was a big (sudden) stop, fourth/fifth gear." Following the impact, both McErlean and co-driver Treacy were checked over by the medical team. "It's very sore, but we're ok which is the main thing. Not the way we wanted it." added McErlean. A decision has yet to be made if they will re-join under Super Rally for Sunday's final leg.

While Toyota's other title aspirant Kalle Rovanpera was best through the opening Super Special stage, Ogier took the first of three stage wins to lead a Toyota quintet with local hero Takamoto Katsuta and his Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnston just 1.3s behind after SS2. Indeed, they headed the classification with a fastest time on SS3. But there was no stopping Ogier, who regained the lead and finished the day with a 7.9s advantage. “We did what we had to do today. It’s always fun fighting for a championship, otherwise we would not be here. There’s still a long way to go, but we’re trying to keep our chances alive until the last rally.”

Katsuta kept him in his sights and to the delight of the home crowd, punched in top three stage times all day. “I feel quite confident in my car and driving, I can take risks later.” Championship leader Evans was third overnight even though he was of the opinion that his Toyota was “not quite clicking” for much of the day. Acknowledging Ogier's pace, he quipped, “Seb has pulled the pin out, he’s really fast this afternoon, but the rally is long.”

Their team mate and also WR title contender Kalle Rovanpera ended the day down in 19th (2m. 25.2s of top spot) after he clipped a barrier that damaged his Toyota's rear suspension. French ace Adrien Fourmaux in fifth is the top Hyundai driver with team mates Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville sixth and seventh respectively. Tanak, who has a mathematical chance of the title said, "We haven’t been on the pace, but other than that it’s been okay."

FORUM8 Rally Japan (Round 13, World rally Championship) Toyota City: 1. S.Ogier/V.Landais (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) 1h. 11m. 48.2s; 2. T.Katsuta/A.Johnston(Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+7.9s. 3. E. Evans/S. Martin (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+10.2; 4. A. Fourmaux/A. Coria (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+24.0; 5. S. Pajari/M. Salminen (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1)+24.3; 6. O. Tanak/M. Jarveoja (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+1m. 12.3s; 7. T. Neuville/M. Wydaeghe (Hyundai i20 N Rally1)+1m. 33.5s; 8. G. Munster/L. Louka (Ford Puma Rally1)+2m. 35.9s; 9. O. Solberg/E. Edmondson (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+3m. 22.3s); 10. A. Cachon/B. Rozada (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2)+3m. 45.5s.

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