The air went out of Toyota’s dreams of a home country win as quickly as the air from their Pirelli tyres last weekend.
With both the Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles already sewn up, the World Champions went into the Rally Japan with a four-pronged attack of Kalle Rovanpera, Sebastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and local hero Takamoto Katsuta.
Based in Toyota City, the rally was the final round of the 2022 WRC, but despite the greatest of expectations, it was Hyundai who spoiled the party with an emphatic 1-2 finish.
Ogier, Rovanpera and Evans all led the rally at various times during the event, but all three suffered punctures and had to stop mid-stage to change them.
Without such problems, Thierry Neuville sprinted to his second rally win of the season, while Ott Tanak took another podium place on his final rally in the much-improved i20 N Rally1.
Toyota’s only consolation was the third place secured by Katsuta, which proved to be one of the most popular results of the season.
It was another disastrous rally for the beleaguered M-Sport Ford team. Irishman Craig Breen was second outright after the opening stage of the rally, but he inexcusably went off the road on the third stage.
This was Breen’s sixth off-road excursion in nine rallies and has further put his 2023 program under the microscope.
With Tanak still rumoured to be heading back to the Blue Oval team, it may well be at the extent of Breen, despite him having a contract for next season.
The rally started spectacularly when Hyundai’s Dani Sordo stopped on stage two with a fire at the rear of his car. Unable to extinguish the blaze, Sordo could only watch in anguish as the i20 N burnt to the ground.
Rally Japan returned to the WRC for the first time since 2010 and immediately proved popular with teams and the media.
The Japanese fans’ passion for the sport, along with the challenging stages and beautiful scenery, all made for a welcome return.
“Winning the home rally of Toyota would have been very special, but to have Taka on the podium of his home event feels almost just as good,” Toyota boss Jari-Matti Latvala remarked.
“In rallying, every event is bringing a different challenge and you cannot win every one.”
“This victory feels fantastic!” rally winner Thierry Neuville added. “It wasn’t an easy weekend, or indeed season, but to end with this result is incredible and shows that the performance is there.
“Results like this give a special boost to the whole team. We know the areas where we need to improve; I keep believing in this team and I will keep pushing also. Next season will be a different challenge. Monte is less than two months away and we have to be ready for that.”
Hyundai are yet to announce drivers to replace both Tanak and the sacked Oliver Solberg, but it being widely reported that Esapekka Lappi will move from Toyota to fill Tanak’s seat.
It appears that current WRC2 driver, Teemu Suninen, could be awarded a part-program, alternating a third car with Dani Sordo.
The season may have concluded, but there are plenty of WRC stories still to be written over the coming weeks.
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