Elfyn Evans’ victory at Rally Japan marked his second win of the season and the Toyota Gazoo Racing driver’s 50th WRC podium appearance.
Elfyn Evans secured his third Rally Japan victory in four years, extending his lead in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Midway through the 14-race series, the Welshman’s advantage over Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta has increased from 12 to 20 points.
Evans, 37, seized the lead in Japan with a remarkable performance on Friday’s stage two through the iconic Isegami’s Tunnel and maintained control for the remaining 18 stages.
He finished 12.8 seconds ahead of nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier, with Sami Pajari trailing 51.4 seconds behind in third.
Katsuta, alongside Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston, completed a Toyota 1-2-3-4 finish in their home race.
“What a great weekend, amazing car again on tarmac,” Evans stated, downplaying the significance of his growing championship lead.
“Not sure, a long way to go and too early to talk about that,” he added.
“We have to just enjoy this one.”
Jon Armstrong added four points to his championship tally with an eighth-place finish, while Motorsport Ireland and M-Sport Ford teammate Josh McErlean finished tenth, earning one point.
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Evans capitalized on being the first driver on the road Friday, setting himself up for victory by winning stage two by 7.5 seconds.
By posting the fastest time on stage three and winning the afternoon’s second run through Isegami’s Tunnel, the Welshman led by 15.7 seconds at the end of the first day.
Toyota teammate Oliver Solberg and English co-driver Elliott Edmondson reduced that lead by more than five seconds with two stage wins on Saturday morning, but the 24-year-old Swede crashed out of contention on stage 12, drawing criticism from veteran Ogier.
“Unfortunately, it’s not really a surprise, but it’s a shame,” said the 42-year-old Frenchman.
“I’ve seen the risk he’s taking is too high.”
Solberg, dismissing Ogier’s comments, rejoined to claim the maximum 10 Sunday bonus points and currently sits third in the championship, 49 points behind Evans.
After three crashes this year in Tarmac events, he is now looking forward to the remaining seven rallies on gravel.
“Gravel and so on has been very strong,” said Solberg.
“It’s only gravel from now, so I still believe everything is possible.”
Failing to win any of seven consecutive gravel rallies between May and September last season ultimately cost Evans and co-driver Scott Martin the title, as they finished championship runners-up for the fifth time in six years.
Running first as championship leader can be a disadvantage in gravel rallies, as the opening car ‘sweeps’ the road, providing a cleaner path for those following.
Evans is aware of the challenges ahead, admitting that dry gravel rallies are “what we identified as perhaps the weakest point of our championships in the past.”
A significant test of those skills, and a potential threat to his WRC lead, comes next, with round eight heading to Greece for the Acropolis Rally from June 25-28.
Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin won five of the 20 stages at Rally Japan
1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 3 hours 17 minutes 08.0 seconds
2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, +12.8secs
3. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, +51.4secs
4. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, +1min 03.5secs
5. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Hyundai, +2min 34.8secs
6. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, +3min 13.6secs
Selected others
8. Jon Armstrong (Ireland) Ford +5min 45.2secs
10. Josh McErlean (Ireland) Ford, +9min 23.0secs
21. Oliver Solberg (Sweden), Toyota, +49min 43.6secs
1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 151 points
2. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, 131
3. Oliver Solberg (Sweden), Toyota, 102
4. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, 96
5. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 90
6. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Hyundai, 89
7. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 73
Selected others
12. Jon Armstrong (Ireland), Ford, 14
18. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, 7