Toyota came from behind on the final day of Rally Japan to win its fourth consecutive FIA World Rally Championship manufacturers’ title by just 3 points in a thrilling end to the season as it scored a one-two finish on home ground.
Despite closing its deficit to the leader Hyundai from 15 to 11 points based on the positions at the end of Saturday, Toyota went into the final day still facing a tough task to defend its title. However, with all drivers on both teams pushing hard on the challenging asphalt roads near Toyota City, it was presented with an opportunity when the rally leader Ott Tänak went off on Sunday’s opening stage.
With Elfyn Evans and Sébastien Ogier promoted into first and second overall of Rally Japan, and with the separate Super Sunday classification also factored in, the two teams were level on points going into the rally-ending Power Stage, where up to five further points were available for the fastest drivers.
As Takamoto Katsuta had followed the team’s strategy by also cleanly making it through the rally, Toyota could count on three contenders in this final-stage decider. Ogier set the fastest time in the Power Stage for the full five bonus points, and with Evans third-quickest and Katsuta fourth, the team clinched the title by three points after 13 rallies.
It is the eighth manufacturers’ title won by Toyota in the WRC, drawing it level with Citroën for second place in the all-time list.
Evans and co-driver Scott Martin proved to be the masters of the demanding Japanese stages once more as they celebrated their first victory since the same event one year ago. The result ensures they finish the year as runners-up in the drivers’ and co-drivers’ standings.
Ogier and co-driver Vincent Landais ended the year with their seventh podium from 10 starts, including three wins. Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen also contributed four victories from a partial campaign. Katsuta and navigator Aaron Johnston rounded out the season strongly with a second straight top-four finish.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
Toyota came into Rally Japan as the underdogs trailing Hyundai by 15 points in the manufacturers’ title. After rally leader Ott Tänak crashed out on the last day, Evans and Ogier took over positions 1 and 2, and held those rankings until the end to ensure that Toyota picked up the trophy on home turf. Even though Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville finished in 6th, he still had enough points to win the driver’s championship ahead of Evans.