AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
  • STANDINGS
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Toyota’s Nightmare Start at Rally Japan as Ogier and Katsuta Puncture

Arthur Ling by Arthur Ling
November 22, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Toyota’s Nightmare Start at Rally Japan as Ogier and Katsuta Puncture

Sebastien Ogier (FRA) of team TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT seen during the World Rally Championship Japan in Toyota city, Japan on November 21, 2024. // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202411210245 // Usage for editorial use only //

Rally Japan began in dramatic fashion as Sébastien Ogier and Takamoto Katsuta suffered costly punctures on the opening stage, leaving Toyota’s manufacturers’ championship hopes hanging by a thread. Hyundai capitalized on Toyota’s misfortunes, with Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville leading the charge at the front.


Ogier’s Early Disaster

The notorious Isegami’s Tunnel stage, the longest and one of the most challenging on the Rally Japan calendar, lived up to its reputation. Ogier, the defending Rally Japan champion, picked up a flat tire early in the stage, forcing him to stop and lose over two minutes as he changed it.

“[I have] no idea how it happened,” Ogier said tersely. “The first few corners were very slippery, and I was understeering.”

This setback is a severe blow to Toyota, already trailing Hyundai by 15 points in the manufacturers’ championship, and further dampens their title ambitions as the Hyundai i20s occupy the top two spots.


Katsuta Adds to Toyota’s Woes

Takamoto Katsuta, running on home soil, also suffered a puncture in the same stage. Unlike Ogier, he opted not to stop, limiting his time loss to one minute but still dropping valuable positions. His cautious approach kept him in the race but compounded Toyota’s troubled start.


Hyundai Dominates

Hyundai seized the opportunity with Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak setting blistering paces. Neuville, despite a comfortable lead in the drivers’ championship, pushed hard to claim the stage win by 1.2 seconds over Tänak. This unexpected performance underscores Hyundai’s intent to secure both titles as they currently lock out the top two positions.

Elfyn Evans, Toyota’s best hope for damage control, finished third-fastest, 5.0 seconds adrift of Neuville.


Midfield Struggles

Behind the leaders, chaos reigned. Overnight leader Adrien Fourmaux endured a nightmare stage, losing 46.9 seconds as slippery conditions and leaves on the road wreaked havoc.

“There was a lot of leaves on the road,” Fourmaux explained. “The cars in front are bringing them on, which is normal, but every corner is really tricky.”

Gregoire Munster and Andreas Mikkelsen also faltered, with Munster losing 4.5 seconds to Fourmaux and Mikkelsen overshooting a corner amid muddy conditions.

“To make sure you get to the finish, you have to go very slow,” Mikkelsen said. “It was full of mud, not easy.”


Current Standings After SS2

  1. Ott Tänak (Hyundai) – 22m44.8s
  2. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) – +0.5s
  3. Elfyn Evans (Toyota) – +4.2s
  4. Adrien Fourmaux (M-Sport) – +45.2s
  5. Gregoire Munster (M-Sport) – +52.5s
  6. Andreas Mikkelsen (Skoda) – +56.9s

What’s Next?

Toyota faces an uphill battle to recover from their disastrous start as Hyundai continues to build momentum. With Tänak, Neuville, and Evans pulling clear of the pack, the battle for victory looks set to be a three-way fight. For Toyota, the focus will shift to damage control and salvaging their championship hopes in what promises to be an unpredictable Rally Japan.

Share212Tweet133Send

Related Posts

Albon Exposes Shocking Differences Between Verstappen and Sainz: The Learning Journey Unveiled!
Motorsports

Albon Exposes Shocking Differences Between Verstappen and Sainz: The Learning Journey Unveiled!

This asset - including all text, audio and imagery - is provided by Imagn Images. Reuters Connect has not verified...

by Arthur Ling
August 14, 2025
McLaren’s Stunning Dominance: Red Bull’s Boss Admits They’re ‘Killing Us’ in F1 2025!
Motorsports

McLaren’s Stunning Dominance: Red Bull’s Boss Admits They’re ‘Killing Us’ in F1 2025!

Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool

by Publisher
August 14, 2025
Ralf Schumacher Slams Max Verstappen and Red Bull: The Shocking Disappointment of 2025 Revealed!
Motorsports

Ralf Schumacher Slams Max Verstappen and Red Bull: The Shocking Disappointment of 2025 Revealed!

Ralf Schumacher Unleashes Fury on Max Verstappen and Red Bull: A 2025 Season of Disappointment! In a shocking revelation that...

by Simon Monroy
August 14, 2025
Oscar Piastri’s Bold Journey: How He Transformed Qualifying and Dominated F1 2025!
Motorsports

Oscar Piastri’s Bold Journey: How He Transformed Qualifying and Dominated F1 2025!

Formula One F1 - Belgian Grand Prix - Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Stavelot, Belgium - July 27, 2025 McLaren's Oscar Piastri...

by Redação
August 14, 2025

Recent News

Leapmotor C10 ganha versão limitada de alto desempenho com selo Irmscher

Leapmotor C10 receives a limited high-performance version with Irmscher certification.

August 14, 2025
Albon Exposes Shocking Differences Between Verstappen and Sainz: The Learning Journey Unveiled!

Albon Exposes Shocking Differences Between Verstappen and Sainz: The Learning Journey Unveiled!

August 14, 2025
Aston Martin celebra 75 anos no Continente Americano com coleção exclusiva ‘Thrillseeker’

Aston Martin celebrates 75 years in the Americas with the exclusive ‘Thrillseeker’ collection.

August 14, 2025
McLaren’s Stunning Dominance: Red Bull’s Boss Admits They’re ‘Killing Us’ in F1 2025!

McLaren’s Stunning Dominance: Red Bull’s Boss Admits They’re ‘Killing Us’ in F1 2025!

August 14, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Circuits
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks