Finnish Kalle Rovanperä won the first special stage of Rally Japan, the penultimate round of the WRC season. Sébastien Ogier, also in the race for the title, finished four tenths behind.
The WRC season is entering its home stretch, with three drivers still mathematically in contention to win the world title, with two rounds remaining: Elfyn Evans (247pts), Sébastien Ogier (234) and Kalle Rovanperä (234). Before the very first rally in Saudi Arabia at the end of November, the drivers are meeting in Japan this weekend, with 20 special stages on the menu. And it was Kalle Rovanperä, the future retiree from the WRC, who was the fastest in the first special, which consisted of 2.75km in Kuragaike Park, located in the town of… Toyota.
The driver of the eponymous team completed the course, made up of narrow and winding asphalt sections, a roundabout and a final climb, in 2 minutes and seven seconds, ahead of Ott Tänak, the only Hyundai driver among the top six in the standings, by a tenth, Takamoto Katsuta, born a few kilometers away, by three tenths, and Sébastien Ogier by four tenths. This first special on Thursday was anecdotal and the gaps should widen on Friday, during the six specials on the menu.
35 points to take
“It wasn’t ideal today on this short stage with the car,” admitted Rovanperä. I hope it will be better tomorrow with a little clearer roads. » Remember that the winner of this rally will win 25 points, the best driver on Sunday (6 specials) 5 points and the winner of the last special 5 points. We will closely monitor the performances of Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari, the two Toyota drivers who are not in the running for the world title. Maybe they will have to slow down at times…
RALLY – WRC / JAPAN
Ranking after SS1 (out of 20) – Thursday November 6, 2025
1- Kalle Rovanperä – Jonne Halttunen (FIN-FIN/Toyota) in 2’07
2- Ott Tänak – Martin Järveoja (EST-EST/Hyundai) at 0″1
3- Takamoto Katsuta – Aaron Johnston (JAP-IRL/Toyota) at 0″3
4- Sébastien Ogier – Vincent Landais (FRA-FRA/Toyota) at 0″4
5- Sami Pajari – Marko Salminen (FIN-FIN/Toyota) at 0″5
…
Special stage winners
Rovanperä: 1 (SS1)
