Sébastien Ogier claimed a commanding victory at FORUM8 Rally Japan on Sunday, setting up a thrilling three-way battle for the 2025 FIA World Rally Championship crown ahead of the season finale in Saudi Arabia.
The eight-time world champion held off Toyota Gazoo Racing teammate and current points leader Elfyn Evans throughout a relentless, rain-soaked final leg. Ogier crossed the finish 11.6sec in front, trimming Evans’ championship advantage to just three points. Kalle Rovanperä ended the weekend in sixth place, leaving him 24 points behind the leader and keeping all three Toyota drivers firmly in the title fight. Ott Tänak’s slim championship hopes ended as he could not close enough ground.
Heavy rain hammered the last six stages around Aichi and Gifu, turning smooth asphalt into flooded, slippery rivers. Evans started the day 6.5sec back and immediately pushed hard, beating Ogier by 0.8sec on the opening Nukata stage. The Frenchman responded instantly, regaining control at Lake Mikawako and rebuilding his advantage.
The battle behind was equally dramatic. Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux, third overnight, slid into trees and tore a door from his i20 N Rally1, forcing him into retirement. His exit opened the door for Sami Pajari, who climbed into his first-ever WRC podium. The 23-year-old Finn wrapped up a career-defining result and helped Toyota secure a 1-2-3 finish on home soil.
Evans kept the pressure on Ogier, but a wild slide on the first Okazaki super special knocked him down a grass bank and cost precious time. Ogier avoided mistakes and stretched his advantage to 8.3sec before charging cleanly through the last two stages to seal a vital victory.
Ogier praised his team, saying it was the perfect result after a weekend of unpredictable conditions. He explained that a major setup change on Sunday morning transformed the feeling of the car and allowed him to attack confidently despite the heavy rain.
Pajari protected third place, while Tänak finished just behind after suffering a puncture in the morning but still taking a stage win. M-Sport Ford’s Grégoire Munster scored a career-equalling best result in fifth, ahead of Rovanperä, who lost several minutes from suspension damage on Friday. Oliver Solberg ended seventh in his Rally2 Toyota, and Alejandro Cachón won WRC2 ahead of Nikolay Gryazin. Jan Solans completed the top ten after a spin on the penultimate test.
The season concludes later in November with the first edition of WRC Rally Saudi Arabia, based in Jeddah on fast desert gravel roads.
