Elfyn Evans is on the brink of securing his maiden FIA World Rally Championship crown as the WRC heads to Asia for this week’s FORUM8 Rally Japan (6–9 November) — Toyota Gazoo Racing’s home event and the penultimate round of the 2025 season.
Following Toyota’s triumph in clinching the manufacturers’ championship at the Central European Rally, the focus now shifts to the intense intra-team battle for the drivers’ crown. Evans leads teammates Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä by 13 points each, with the potential to seal the championship if he outscores both by 23 points this weekend.
It’s a demanding challenge, but Japan’s twisting asphalt stages are known for their technical precision and unpredictable nature, offering Evans a realistic shot at victory. The Welshman is chasing not only a personal milestone but also another home victory for Toyota, whose four-car lineup has dominated the season, frequently filling the top five positions.
“Rally Japan is always a big week as the home event for TGR and there’s a very special atmosphere. It’s not an easy rally with very demanding and twisty stages, and in the last few years we’ve seen some quite difficult conditions at times. Even when it’s dry, there’s very little margin for error and it’s easy to make a small but costly mistake.”
said Evans
Both Ogier and Rovanperä, who has won the last two asphalt rounds, are eager to extend the title fight to the season finale in Saudi Arabia later this month.
Meanwhile, local favourite Takamoto Katsuta will be one to watch. The Japanese driver, who claimed a podium finish on home soil in 2022, knows the Aichi and Gifu mountain roads intimately and will be aiming to thrill local fans with another strong performance.
On the opposing side, Hyundai Motorsport is determined to close the season on a high. Ott Tänak remains mathematically in the title fight, while Thierry Neuville looks to bounce back after a tough stretch since Chile. Adrien Fourmaux completes Hyundai’s trio in the i20 N Rally1, with Grégoire Munster and Josh McErlean representing M-Sport Ford in Puma Rally1 cars.
The FORUM8 Rally Japan comprises 20 asphalt stages covering over 300 km. The action kicks off on Thursday afternoon with the Kuragaike Park Super Special, setting the stage for a dramatic weekend that could define the 2025 WRC title race.