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Chaos in the Countryside: Rally Japan Delivers High Drama as Hyundai’s Hopes Hang by a Thread – Tänak’s WRC title shot becomes realistic

Publisher by Publisher
November 22, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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Chaos in the Countryside: Rally Japan Delivers High Drama as Hyundai’s Hopes Hang by a Thread – Tänak’s WRC title shot becomes realistic

Ott Tänak (EST) and Martin Järveoja (EST) of team HYUNDAI SHELL MOBIS WORLD RALLY TEAM are seen performing during the World Rally Championship Japan in Toyota city, Japan on November 21, 2024. // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202411210028 // Usage for editorial use only //

Rally Japan has exploded into one of the most thrilling finales in World Rally Championship history. With both titles on the line, Friday’s drama-packed stages delivered shocks, heartbreak, and a storyline nobody could have predicted.

From early Toyota misfortune to Thierry Neuville’s crippling technical issues and a pivotal crash from Andreas Mikkelsen, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Here’s a breakdown of an unforgettable day in Japan:


Toyota’s Nightmare Start: Punctures Sink Early Hopes

The day began disastrously for Toyota, who desperately needed a big result to close the 15-point gap to Hyundai in the manufacturers’ championship. Rally legend Sébastien Ogier suffered a puncture just minutes into SS2, losing two minutes as he stopped to change his tire. Local hero Takamoto Katsuta fared slightly better, dropping a minute after knocking a rear tire off the rim, but both tumbled down the leaderboard.

Ogier’s frustration was palpable: “I was really struggling to find the concentration and the motivation,” he admitted after watching Hyundai’s drivers take an early lead.


Neuville’s Title Hopes Falter with Power Problems

Hyundai seemed poised to run away with both titles as Thierry Neuville, Ott Tänak, and Elfyn Evans broke away from the pack. But halfway through SS4, Neuville’s championship charge hit a massive hurdle. A sudden power issue in his i20 Rally1 car left the Belgian crawling through the stage, losing 40 seconds and dropping to third.

Without a mid-day service break, Hyundai’s engineers had no chance to fix the problem. Neuville limped through the rest of the day, falling outside the top 10 and losing seven crucial minutes. The reigning title favorite now faces a daunting task, needing just six points to clinch the drivers’ championship, but his mechanical woes have made it anything but a sure thing.

“It is what it is,” Neuville said stoically. “Now the hard work throughout the year gets even more valuable.”


Mikkelsen’s Crash Leaves Hyundai Reeling

Hyundai’s troubles worsened when Andreas Mikkelsen crashed out on the first stage of the afternoon loop. Running sixth and needing to push with Neuville incapacitated, Mikkelsen looked quick early in the stage. But on a slippery downhill section, the Norwegian lost control under braking and slammed into a tree, ending his day and bringing out a red flag.

Mikkelsen’s retirement left Hyundai with only Tänak in the fight, a critical blow as Toyota mounts a comeback.


Tänak and Evans Take Center Stage

Ott Tänak capitalized on the chaos to seize the rally lead, streaking 20 seconds clear of Elfyn Evans by day’s end. The Estonian knows the manufacturers’ title is the weekend’s primary goal, but Neuville’s struggles and Mikkelsen’s crash have put a damper on Tänak’s optimism.

“My target for the weekend was the manufacturers’ [championship],” Tänak said. “This doesn’t help.”


WRC2 Battle: Greensmith Misses His Chance

In WRC2, Gus Greensmith entered Rally Japan promising to support Oliver Solberg’s title hopes by challenging championship leader Sami Pajari. However, when Pajari suffered a puncture on SS3, Greensmith failed to capitalize. A rear lock-up sent his Škoda into a bank, damaging the car and allowing Pajari to remain comfortably in second behind runaway leader Nikolay Gryazin.


M-Sport Struggles, but Fourmaux Shines Late

M-Sport Ford’s Puma Rally1 cars lacked the pace to challenge the front runners. Adrien Fourmaux and Grégoire Munster complained of handling issues, with Fourmaux describing the car as “not rotating in slow corners” and struggling with brake problems.

However, a strategic move to fit a lightbar to Fourmaux’s car paid off as visibility worsened late in the day. The Frenchman used the advantage to leapfrog Katsuta into third place by just 0.8 seconds.


The Road Ahead: A Title Race in Turmoil

As Friday ends, Rally Japan has delivered twists and turns that could reshape the championship landscape. Tänak leads the rally, but Toyota is steadily closing the gap in the manufacturers’ standings. Neuville’s title hopes remain alive but precarious, hinging on Saturday’s repairs and a desperate push for points.

One thing is clear: the final two days in Japan promise even more drama as both championships remain tantalizingly up for grabs.

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