Elfyn Evans Still Calm But World Title Bid Will go Right to the Wire

Welshman Evans – who is still chasing his first world title after so many near misses - will carry a slender three-point lead into the season finale after finishing second to Toyota team-mate Sébastien Ogier.

The Frenchman produced a dominant display to claim his fourth win of the season.

The result means 36-year-old Evans remains on course for his maiden world crown — but he faces an intense final showdown with his experienced French rival, who closed the gap with a maximum 35-point haul.

“It’s been a fun and strong weekend overall and another great result for the team at home in Japan,” said Evans. 

“It wasn’t easy today to be in such a big fight in those difficult conditions. We gave it our best shot but Seb was driving very well and was too tough to beat today.

“It was so close between the two of us, especially in the Power Stage, and it feels like we’ve missed out on quite a few points, but that’s the name of the game and everything is still to play for going into the final rally.”

READ MORE: Elfyn Evans Proud But “Frustrated” as Toyota Seal Manufacturers’ Crown and he Reclaims WRC Lead

Ogier, an eight-time world champion, was near faultless in torrential rain on the final day, winning the Super Sunday classification and topping the Power Stage to take the maximum score. 

His 11.6-second victory margin over Evans reflected his composure under pressure.

READ MORE: Elfyn Evans Relaxed Even Though His WRC Lead Has Been Cut After Sardinia

“This is the perfect result for us and I’m very happy to win this rally in Japan at home for Toyota,” said Ogier. 

“It’s been an intense weekend, especially this last day with very challenging conditions.

“A big congratulations to the team for giving us a great car again to fight like this, because today we started a completely different rally with a completely different setup and it worked straight away. 

“Elfyn was pushing me the whole weekend, and great wins only happen when you have great opponents.”

The victory marked Toyota Gazoo Racing’s third consecutive Rally Japan win and their second 1-2-3 finish at the event, with rising Finnish driver Sami Pajari clinching third for his first-ever WRC podium.

With only the new Rally Saudi Arabia remaining (25–29 November), the WRC title will be decided in a head-to-head duel between Evans and Ogier — teammates separated by just three points after 13 rounds.

Evans’ consistency this season, including three victories, has kept him in control of the standings, but Ogier’s experience and momentum make him a formidable challenger as he bids to match Sébastien Loeb’s record of nine world titles.

Deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen said the showdown will be one to savour.

He said: “The battle between Seb and Elfyn was incredible to watch right until the last stage, and now there are only three points between them. The final rally in Saudi Arabia will be interesting to see who will be the world champion.”

Rally Japan result

1. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 3 hours 21 minutes 8.9 seconds

2. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, +11.6secs

3. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, +2min 16.6secs

4. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, +3min 18.1secs

5. Gregoire Munster (Luxembourg), Ford, +6min 48.7secs

6. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, +7min 01.5secs

FIA World Rally Championship drivers' standings (provisional)

1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 272 points

2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 269

3. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, 248

4. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 213

5. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 166

6. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, 111

Selected

11. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, 26

14. Gus Greensmith (Great Britain), Skoda, 14