After almost the first third of the Japan Rally, Sébastien Ogier (Toyota) occupies the lead in the standings, ahead of his teammates Takamoto Katsuta and Elfyn Evans. In the race for the world title, Kalle Rovanperä lost big when he hit a safety barrier, which damaged his suspension and cost him more than two minutes.
Before the start of Rally Japan, the penultimate round of the WRC season, three drivers were mathematically in contention for the world title, with a maximum of 70 points remaining: Elfyn Evans (247pts), Sébastien Ogier (234) and Kalle Rovanperä (234). But the Finn, who dreams of leaving the WRC with a third world champion title, lost very big this Friday.
The 25-year-old driver, who won SS1, then lost four seconds to winner Sébastien Ogier in SS2, made a mistake during SS3. Rovanperä hit a guardrail, damaged the left rear suspension of his Yaris and lost 2’22 to Katsuta, the winner of the special.
The Finn managed to repair as best he could by using an adjustable wrench as a makeshift crutch to hold the suspension arm in place.
Rovanperä will have to shine on Sunday to continue dreaming
During the 4th special, he lost another 2’50 on the winner Elfyn Evans, then another thirty seconds until the end of the day. In the end, after seven special stages, the former double world champion is in 17th place, 5’42 behind leader Sébastien Ogier, who had an uneventful day. With two minutes behind tenth place, the Finn has little chance of collecting points thanks to his general classification, it is now up to him to shine on Sunday (5 points for the best driver of the day, 5 points for the winner of the last special) to maintain a chance of the world title.
Unless Ogier and Evans also make mistakes during the weekend… Also note the fine fourth place of Adrien Fourmaux, the only Hyundai driver classified less than a minute behind Ogier, after the delicate day experienced by Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville, not very comfortable on their i20. On Saturday, seven stages will be on the program.
RALLY – WRC / JAPAN
Ranking after SS7 (out of 20) – Friday November 7, 2025
1- Sébastien Ogier – Vincent Landais (FRA-FRA/Toyota) in 1h11’48″2
2- Takamoto Katsuta – Aaron Johnston (JAP-IRL/Toyota) in 7″9
3- Elfyn Evans-Scott Martin (GBR-GBR/TOYOTA) at 10″2
4- Adrien Fourmaux – Alexandre Coria (FRA-FRA/Hyundai) at 24″
5- Sami Pajari – Marko Salminen (FIN-FIN/Toyota) in 24″3
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17- Kalle Rovanperä – Jonne Halttunen (FIN-FIN/Toyota) at 5’42
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Special stage winners
Rovanperä: 1 (SS1)
Ogier: 3 (ES2, ES5, ES6)
Katsuta: 1 (SS3)
Evans: 2 (SS4, SS7
