Podium in Japan keeps Elfyn at top of title fight

Fourth consecutive podium means Welshman goes into the final round ahead.

Elfyn Evans powered to second place in Rally Japan to keep him at the top of the WRC Drivers' Championship ahead of the final round and secure a podium lock-out for Toyota Gazoo Racing in their home event. 

Elfyn’s fourth consecutive podium puts him three points ahead of closest rival Sebastien Ogier – the winner in Japan – and 24 in front of Kalle Rovanpera as the drivers head for the final championship showdown in Saudi Arabia.  

In his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, the Welshman battled treacherous autumn conditions and narrow asphalt stages in Japan to push Ogier all the way.

Heavy overnight rainfall had left Friday’s mountain stages damp and unpredictable but Evans and co-driver Scott Martin settled into a steady rhythm, avoiding the pitfalls that caught out several rivals. A clean run through the tricky Shitara Forest loop kept the pair 10.2 seconds off the lead and in third place overnight. 

With Saturday bringing drier weather but leaf-strewn tarmac offering inconsistent grip, Elfyn delivered one of the standout drives of the day, winning SS12 Asahi Kougen and narrowing the gap to Ogier to 1.7 seconds and moving him up to second.

The pair battled throughout Sunday, with Ogier just edging away to take top spot in both the rally and the final Power stage. 

All attention now moves to Saudi Arabia, with Elfyn hoping the pace and consistency he has shown throughout the campaign will help to bring him his first world title.