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Sebastien Ogier Seizes Rally Japan Lead Amidst Kalle Rovanpera’s Shocking Disaster!

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
November 7, 2025
in Motorsports, WRC
Reading Time: 3 mins read
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Sebastien Ogier Seizes Rally Japan Lead Amidst Kalle Rovanpera’s Shocking Disaster!

Sebastien Ogier (FRA) Vincent Landais (FRA) Of team TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT are seen performing during the World Rally Championship Japan in Toyota City, Japan on 6,November, 2025 // Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202511060259 // Usage for editorial use only //

Rally Japan Thrills: Sebastien Ogier Takes the Lead as Kalle Rovanpera Faces Devastating Setback!

In an electrifying twist at Rally Japan, Sebastien Ogier has seized the lead from championship frontrunner Elfyn Evans, capitalizing on a dramatic misfortune that has struck fellow title contender Kalle Rovanpera. The stakes have never been higher as Ogier surged ahead during the fourth stage, Isegami’s Tunnel, clocking a time that put him just 1.0 seconds ahead of Evans as they headed into the critical midday service. With Takamoto Katsuta close behind in third, a mere 1.7 seconds off the pace, the tension is palpable!

The drama unfolded when Rovanpera, a formidable force in the World Rally Championship, encountered a serious setback that could jeopardize his title aspirations. The two-time world champion was forced to struggle through much of the morning loop after a harrowing brush with an Armco barrier left his GR Yaris with a damaged left rear suspension. As a result, Rovanpera limped to the service area, languishing in 23rd place and a staggering 5 minutes and 13.2 seconds off the lead.

Ogier, the eight-time world champion, expressed a mix of relief and dissatisfaction after the morning’s trials. “It has been very intense and close the whole morning, and it felt okay,” he remarked, noting he wasn’t pushing to the limit. “One second is nothing with Elfyn, and Takamoto is just behind, so we need to carry on doing the same.” His ability to adapt and regain the lead—after briefly losing it to team-mate Katsuta—underscores his relentless drive in the sport.

Elfyn Evans has also been a key player, showcasing consistent speed with top-three finishes in each of the morning stages. He even claimed the fastest time in stage four, though not without a scare when he encountered a deer mid-stage. “I wasn’t going to trust he was going to stay put,” Evans recalled. “That final stage was the first time we have driven in that direction, so we were trying to use our head and drive well.” His strategic thinking has kept him firmly in contention.

Meanwhile, Rovanpera’s tumultuous day has cast a shadow over his championship hopes. After his collision in stage three, the young star and co-driver Jonne Halttunen had to perform an emergency suspension repair, a daunting task that left them fighting for survival on the course. “Obviously we are disappointed but we need everything we can get so that is the next goal,” Rovanpera lamented, aware of the uphill battle ahead to salvage his title chase.

Amidst the chaos, Toyota has demonstrated an iron grip on the rally, with Sami Pajari impressively holding fourth place, just 9.5 seconds behind. In stark contrast, Hyundai has struggled to find its footing on the narrow and technical asphalt stages, with Adrien Fourmaux leading their charge in fifth position. “I don’t really have the answer but we do have really good pace on the clean conditions,” Fourmaux admitted, highlighting the disparity in performance among the team.

As the morning unfolded, Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville, both representing Hyundai, faced a host of challenges that saw them fall behind. Tanak ended the morning in sixth, grappling with an uncooperative car, while Neuville, the reigning world champion, suffered even worse, finishing seventh and expressing frustration over his vehicle’s handling. “We had a lot of wheel spin or diff slip on the rear,” he said, indicating a need for urgent mechanical adjustments.

M-Sport-Ford also faced its share of trials, with Josh McErlean crashing heavily during stage three, fortunately escaping serious injury but raising concerns for the team. His teammate, Gregoire Munster, managed to stay in the competition, albeit struggling to maintain pace with his Ford Puma.

As the rally progresses, it is clear that the battle for supremacy in Rally Japan is heating up, with Ogier’s ascent and Rovanpera’s troubles setting the stage for a thrilling showdown. Will Ogier hold onto his lead, or can Evans and Katsuta mount a comeback? One thing is certain: the rally world is watching closely, and the drama is far from over!

Tags: 2025-american-rally-association2025-fia-world-rally-championship2025-toyota-usa-track-and-field-championshipsElfyn Evanshyundai-bossKalle RovanperäSébastien Ogier
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