The World Rally Championship heads to Japan for the seventh round of an absorbing 2026 season.
Elfyn Evans extended his championship advantage over team-mate Takamoto Katsuta to 12 points with his fourth podium of the season as Thierry Neuville claimed a rare victory for Hyundai at the Rally de Portugal.
The former world champion will be hoping his first win of the campaign will act as a springboard for future successes and Neuville has a strong record in Japan, having won the event upon its return in 2022 and sealing his maiden world title in Toyota City two years ago.
However, in their home race, Toyota will be confident of reclaiming top spot after such a dominant start to the season and eager to lead their charge will be Katsuta, who will be desperate to prevail on home soil.
The Japanese ace has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with his first WRC victories on Safari Rally Kenya and Rally Croatia, but Katsuta hasn't had much to shout about on previous visits to the flowing asphalt in the Aichi and Gifu prefectures. He was in the mix for victory in last year's rally before his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 last power steering and he finished 17th.
Nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier is the favourite to prevail in Japan after winning this rally last year.
The Frenchman remains the only Rally1 driver to have won both the gravel-era Rally Japan, in 2010, and the modern asphalt version.
Oliver Solberg bounced back from his retirement in Gran Canaria to finish second in Portugal and claim maximum points from Super Sunday. Triumphant in the opening rally of the season in Monte-Carlo, Solberg's enjoyed minimal luck despite showcasing excellent speed and he will hope his fortunes have changed after a strong showing on mainland Europe.
Key World Rally Championship Stats
- Thierry Neuville's victory in Portugal saw Hyundai finally end Toyota's winning streak
- Elfyn Evans leads the championship by 12 points ahead of Takamoto Katsuta
- Evans is a two-time winner of Rally Japan; Sebastien Ogier won this event last year
- Evans is targeting a 50th WRC podium this weekend
- No driver has won Rally Japan from first on the road since the event returned in its current format in 2022
- Sami Pajari won the WRC2 title in Japan in 2024 and sealed his first top-class podium at the event last season
Rally Japan odds
(Odds will display when markets are available).
All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
