WRC: Elfyn Evans wins Rally Japan to extend championship lead

Evans took full advantage of being the first driver on the road to set himself up for victory on Friday – winning stage two by 7.5 seconds.

Posting the fastest time on stage three, and again winning the afternoon’s second run through Isegami’s Tunnel, meant the Welshman led by 15.7 seconds at the end of the first day.

Toyota team-mate Oliver Solberg and English co-driver Elliott Edmondson cut that 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 – earning a rebuke 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, who dismissed Ogier’s comments, rejoined to claim the maximum 10 Sunday bonus points and is 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 a fifth time in six years.

Running first as championship leader can be a disadvantage in gravel rallies, as the opening car ‘sweeps’ the road, leaving a cleaner run for those following.

Evans is mindful of the pitfalls ahead, admitting dry gravel rallies are “what we identified as perhaps the weakest point of our championships in the past”.

A stern examination of those skills, and a threat to his WRC lead, comes next – with round eight heading to Greece for the Acropolis Rally from 25-28 June.