Adrien Fourmaux stunned the World Rally Championship field with a blistering performance on the opening superspecial stage of Rally Japan, claiming his first-ever WRC stage lead. However, the night wasn’t without drama, as Andreas Mikkelsen narrowly avoided disaster after his Hyundai nearly ran out of fuel.
“Fourmaux’s Neon Dream Becomes Reality”
Competing on the Toyota Stadium superspecial in front of a lively crowd, Fourmaux delivered a flawless run to beat rally legend Sébastien Ogier by an impressive 2.2 seconds. His time of 1:51.4 was enough to edge Ott Tänak by 0.5 seconds and secure the top spot.
“We have had so many quotes this year with Fast & Furious, so I couldn’t come here in Tokyo and not have the neon,” Fourmaux joked, referencing his Puma Rally1’s glowing underbody. “I wanted to live the dream I was having when I was younger.”
The result marks a landmark moment for the M-Sport driver, who has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to achieve consistent success at this level.
“Katsuta and Tänak Keep the Pressure On”
Hometown hero Takamoto Katsuta delighted the Japanese crowd with the third-fastest time, just 0.8 seconds behind Fourmaux. Katsuta’s performance made it three manufacturers in the top three, alongside M-Sport and Hyundai.
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak was second-fastest, 0.5 seconds off the lead, continuing his strong form after topping the morning’s shakedown.
“The big stages are still to come,” Tänak noted, emphasizing the challenges ahead on the gravel roads of Rally Japan.
“Neuville Focused on the Big Picture”
Championship leader Thierry Neuville, needing just six points to secure his first WRC title, took a cautious approach to the opening stage. Sharing fifth place with Ogier, Neuville hinted that his strategy would prioritize the drivers’ title while supporting Hyundai’s bid for the manufacturers’ championship.
“We are counting down the stages, but it was only a small one. The big ones are coming,” said Neuville. “It’s good to see everyone motivated but also relaxed.”
“Fuel Fiasco for Mikkelsen”
Drama unfolded for Andreas Mikkelsen, who was on track to post a competitive time before his Hyundai sputtered dangerously close to the finish line.
“I was empty of fuel, and with half a lap to go it started stopping,” Mikkelsen revealed. “I had to drive right and left to get some fuel, and we almost didn’t reach the finish line.”
Despite the scare, Mikkelsen managed to complete the stage, salvaging what could have been a disastrous start to his weekend.
“WRC2: Gryazin Dominates Early, Pajari and Greensmith Battle”
In WRC2, Nikolay Gryazin asserted dominance with a time two seconds clear of Sami Pajari and Gus Greensmith, who tied for second. Former Formula 1 driver Heikki Kovalainen showed strong pace, finishing just 0.1 seconds behind the duo in his Citroën C3 Rally2.
“The Road Ahead”
With the first of three superspecials complete, the real challenge begins on the demanding gravel stages of Rally Japan. As Fourmaux savors his maiden stage lead, the fight for both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ titles continues to heat up, with Neuville, Tänak, and Ogier all gunning for glory.
Expect more twists and turns as the rally progresses and drivers navigate the technical, slippery roads that define this season finale.
