The stakes couldn’t be higher as the WRC FORUM8 Rally Japan unfolds in dramatic fashion. With Ott Tänak needing a miracle to steal the drivers’ championship and Thierry Neuville holding all the cards, Friday’s action took an astonishing turn. Tänak delivered a commanding performance to end the day in first place, while Neuville found himself languishing in 15th, hampered by devastating mechanical woes.
Tänak’s Dominance Meets Neuville’s Nightmare
For Tänak to even dream of a championship upset, the Estonian needed everything to go his way—and so far, it has. Leading the rally by 20 seconds, Tänak has done everything within his power, pulling off a flawless drive to put Hyundai in control of the manufacturers’ title race.
Meanwhile, Neuville’s campaign for a maiden WRC title has hit a roadblock. His Hyundai i20 N was struck by turbocharger wastegate issues on SS4, leaving the Belgian star hemorrhaging time and plunging him into 7 minutes and 41 seconds of arrears.
“It’s obviously disappointing,” a deflated Neuville admitted. “Driving five and a half stages without any power, we lost minutes—seven or eight already. What can you do?”
The setback not only endangers his championship hopes but also complicates Hyundai’s quest for a manufacturers’ double. With Andreas Mikkelsen crashing out on SS6, the pressure on Tänak to hold his lead is immense.
The Mental Battle of Thierry Neuville
Neuville has endured countless near-misses in his pursuit of a WRC crown, and Friday’s ordeal adds another layer of adversity to his story. Despite the dire situation, Neuville remains mathematically in control—he needs only six points this weekend to clinch the title.
With no points on the board yet, Neuville is relying on a turnaround Saturday to claw his way back into the top 10 and seize Super Sunday points. The pressure, however, is mounting.
“I think the whole team is disappointed about how things are going,” Neuville admitted. “We started well, had a good rhythm, but then everything went wrong.”
Tänak’s Relentless Push
While Neuville’s struggles dominate headlines, Tänak remains laser-focused. His mantra: keep winning stages and secure Hyundai’s manufacturers’ crown. When asked about his increasingly realistic shot at the drivers’ title, Tänak dismissed the notion with characteristic coolness.
“What can I do differently?” he quipped. “It’s difficult to go further than first.”
But Tänak’s performance is a thorn in Toyota’s side. With Hyundai holding a 15-point lead, Toyota’s hopes rest on a perfect weekend, and Tänak’s dominance is eroding those chances.
Toyota’s Uphill Climb
Toyota’s campaign started in disaster. Sébastien Ogier suffered a puncture on the very first stage, losing two minutes, while Takamoto Katsuta also fell back after damaging a tire. Only Elfyn Evans managed to keep Toyota in contention, leading briefly before ending Friday 20.9 seconds behind Tänak.
Ogier, visibly frustrated, admitted his struggles to stay motivated. “It’s hard to find motivation when you’re immediately out of the fight for the win,” he confessed.
Toyota’s slim chances of overhauling Hyundai now depend on a heroic Saturday showing and Tänak faltering—a scenario that seems increasingly unlikely.
The Road Ahead: Title Hangs in the Balance
As Rally Japan enters its second day, the drama is far from over. Neuville must mount a comeback to secure his long-elusive title, while Tänak continues to push relentlessly, eyeing a potential upset that could upend the championship.
For now, one thing is certain: Rally Japan is delivering the high-stakes spectacle fans hoped for, with Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville at the heart of the action.