The 2023 World Rally Championship continues this weekend with the thirteenth and final round, Forum8 Rally Japan.
Championship Rundown
Kalle Rovanperä became a two-time World Rally Champion at the Central European Rally. Meaning the 2023 Drivers’ Championship is no longer on the table. However, there is still a battle for second in the championship. As Elfyn Evans currently sits in the championship, 44 points behind Rovanperä. Central European Rally winner Thierry Neuville is third in the championship, just 7 points behind Evans. Ott Tänak also has a chance at second overall, as he sits 22 points behind Neuville and 29 behind Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounds out the championship top five heading into Forum8 Rally Japan, 48 points behind Tänak.
Expected Rain
Currently, it’s expected to rain throughout the event. With it already having rained on Wednesday before the shakedown stage. Last season Thierry Neuville took home the win with help from the rain. However, wet conditions all weekend may favor Kalle Rovanperä more. As the Finnish driver seems to prefer wet tarmac over dry tarmac, or at least that’s what he wanted at the Central European Rally. With the tight roads in Japan, a bit of rain may catch some drivers out early into the event.
Can Neuville Go Back To Back?
As previously mentioned Thierry Neuville won the Central European Rally last month. Neuville will have a chance to claim back-to-back wins at Forum8 Rally Japan. The Belgian is also one of the favourites to take the event win. Why? Neuville is really good on tarmac. He’s not necessarily a tarmac specialist as he’s pretty good on gravel as well. However, Neuville seems to be able to find the next level on sealed surfaces. Hence why he often wins or finishes high at those events. Sure Neuville was helped out last weekend by Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans. As after Evans crashed into a barn, Rovanperä slowed down, way down. Practically handing Neuville the win. However, Neuville also had a strong chance of winning the event anyway.
It has been revealed that a fourth car is in the works for the Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team, find out more below.
Where Is This Coming From?
The Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team had been rumored to be getting a fourth car next season. However, up until this point, nothing was confirmed nor denied. Hyundai Motorsport team principal Cyril Abiteboul has revealed a fourth i20 is in the cards for the team. However, building a fourth car isn’t Hyundai’s top priority right now. Instead, they are focusing on having three cars prepared and ready for Rallye Monte-Carlo to kick off the 2024 season. The team has already started these preparations with Esapekka Lappi testing a new version of the i20 on snow this past week.
How Will The Fourth Hyundai Be Used?
The sole purpose of the fourth i20 is to develop new drivers. This will give young drivers a chance to learn the ropes in a rally1 car before having to worry about manufacturers’ points and such. Hyundai is doing the same thing Toyota did in the 2022 season with Takamoto Katsuta. Giving a young, inexperienced at the top level driver a chance in a rally1 car.
Who Will Drive The Fourth Hyundai?
This is a question that will be answered in due time. As things sit right now Hyundai have two drivers in their motorsport academy. 2022 WRC2 champion Emil Lindholm and Fabrizio Zaldivar. They also have Irishman Josh McErlean as a Junior driver. There’s a 90% chance Lindholm will be one of the drivers to get a drive in the car. He could also potentially be the only driver. As they might allow Lindholm to do a full season in the car. However, that seems unlikely as it wouldn’t be a great use of resources.
The team may look to bring back a driver or add another outside driver as well. Names such as Pierre-Louis Loubet, Yohan Rossel, Sami Pajari, Nikolay Gryazin and Oliver Solberg come to mind. All of those drivers and more have been some of the WRC’s top young stars. Both Loubet and Solberg have driven Hyundai’s before. While Rossel, Pajari and Gryazin have only driven WRC2 or lower cars. Regardless of the route Hyundai decide to go it will be a tough, throughout decision for the team.
The Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville claimed his second win of the season.
Day One
The first day of the Central European Rally saw drivers compete in two SuperSpecial stages. Thierry Neuville ended the day with a 1.2-second lead over Ott Tänak. Tänak won SSS1, whilst Neuville won SSS2. Sebastien Ogier sat third at the end of the day, 5.8 seconds behind Neuville.
Day Two
The second day of the event was dominated by Kalle Rovanperä. With the championship hopeful winning 4 out of the day’s 6 stages to take a 36.4-second lead over Thierry Neuville to end the day. Rovanperä’s championship rival Elfyn Evans sat third to end the day, 47.2 seconds behind Rovanperä. Rovanperä did everything he needed to on the second day to put pressure on Evans.
Day Three
Thierry Neuville regained the rally lead, winning two of the day’s 6 stages. Sebastien Ogier also won two stages on the day. The big story heading out of the penultimate day wasn’t anything to do with Neuville or Ogier however. As on SS11 Elfyn Evans championship hopes came crashing down. As Evans overshot a corner and crashed into a barn that was stageside. Breaking his rear suspension and ending his championship hopes. This allowed Kalle Rovanperä to slow down. Rovanperä ended the day in second, 26.2 seconds behind Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top three to end the day, nearly two minutes behind Neuville.
Day Four
Thierry Neuville maintained the lead over the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally. With only 4 stages this wasn’t very hard. Nevertheless, he still did it despite not taking a stage win. Instead, Elfyn Evans and Sebastien Ogier both took two stage wins on the day. With Evans winning the Powerstage. It was all for nothing for Evans however as Kalle Rovanperä held on to second place to secure his second championship. Ott Tänak ended the event third.
Drivers Championship Rundown After The Central European Rally
Kalle Rovanperä will head into the final event of the season with a 44-point lead over Elfyn Evans. Meaning he has clinched the championship as only 30 points are on the table in Japan. Switching the attention to who will finish second in the championship. As Neuville winning the Central European Rally closed the gap between him and Evans to just 7 points. Ott Tänak also has a chance to move into the championship top three. As the Estonian sits 22 points behind Neuville and 29 behind Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounds out the top five in the championship.
Another Unfortunate Ending For Lappi
Esapekka Lappi yet again retired from an event before the end of the second day. This time however he made it 4 stages past what he did in Chile. Lappi retired after going wide on a corner in SS5 and hitting a tree. Ending his weekend in the process.
With a second-place finish at the Central European Rally, Kalle Rovanperä has claimed his second World Rally Championship.
Champions Again
Kalle Rovanperä won his first championship last year at Repco Rally New Zealand. Winning it with relative ease as nobody challenged him until Secto Rally Finland. When Ott Tänak won the event. Just over a year later Rovanperä is lifting the championship yet again. However this one was slightly more hard fought than the Rovanperä’s championship last season. For more on Rovanperä’s 2023 season look below.
A Quick Look At Rovanperä’s 2023 Season
In 2023 Rovanperä had more of a challenge. As Sebastien Ogier won 2 of the 3 events to start the season. Rovanperä was left winless until Bonafide Rally Portugal. Up until round 5, Rovanperä only had one podium. Which was a second overall at Rallye Monte-Carlo. From Portugal onward Rovanperä was nearly unstoppable. Winning Rally Estonia and finishing on the podium at Rally Italia Sardegna and Safari Rally Kenya. However, everything changed at Secto Rally Finland, Rovanperä’s home event. The then 22-year-old was leading the rally on the third day. However, on one of the afternoon stages, Rovanperä went wide and clipped a rock. Rolling his car and ending his event as a result. This put Elfyn Evans back into the title race. Evans sat just 25 points behind Rovanperä heading into EKO Acropolis Rally Greece. Rovanperä won the event, expanding the gap to 33 points. Tire struggles for both drivers in Rally Chile BioBio left Rovanperä behind Evans. Closing the gap to 31 points. Everything was on the line for Evans at the Central European Rally. Rovanperä claimed all but two stage wins on the second day of the event leaving Evans in the dust. On the third day Evans’ championship hopes ended. As Evans would go off the road and hit somebody’s barn. Breaking his rear suspension and ending his day at the event. All Rovanperä had to do was finish the event 7th or higher and the championship was his. Rovanperä sat second at the end of the third day. With just 4 stages on the final day, the championship was all but his. Rovanperä held on to second to secure the championship.
The Central European Rally has come to an end, Thierry Neuville held on to the lead to secure the rally win.
SS15, Bohmerwald 1
Sebastien Ogier kicked off the fourth and final day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Ogier posting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans to take the stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Evans. Teemu Suninen set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Suninen.
SS16, Passauer Land 1
Elfyn Evans claimed the stage win on the sixteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Setting a time 4.6 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the stage. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage 0.4 seconds slower than Katsuta. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS17, Bohmerwald 2
Sebastien Ogier took home the stage win on SS17. Posting a time 3.3 seconds faster than Takamoto Katsuta on the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS18, Passauer Land 2
Elfyn Evans took home the stage win on the eighteenth and final stage of the Central European Rally. With Evans setting a time 3.4 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to win the stage. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.3 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Katsuta.
Neuville Holds On
Thierry Neuville held onto the rally lead to take his second win of the season. Despite not taking a stage win Neuville ended the rally with a 57.6 second lead over Kalle Rovanperä. However, neither driver was likely pushing on the final day as for Rovanperä he had a championship to secure. While Neuville wanted to win his second of the season.
The third day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville regained the rally lead on the day.
SS9, Schärdinger Innviertel 1
Elfyn Evans kicked off day three of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 1.3 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 2.2 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
SS10, Mühltal 1
Thierry Neuville topped the 10th stage of the weekend. With the Belgian setting a time 3.8 seconds faster than Elfyn Evans. Sebastien Ogier finished third on the stage, 6.8 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Ogier. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five on the stage, 4.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS11, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 1
Thierry Neuville rounded out the morning loop of the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Posting a time 2.3 seconds faster than teammate Teemu Suninen to take the stage win. Sebastien Ogier finished third fastest on the stage, 0.9 seconds slower than Suninen. Grégoire Munster set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.4 seconds slower than Ogier. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Munster.
SS12, Schärdinger Innviertel 2
Sebastien Ogier took the stage win on the twelfth stage of the weekend. Setting a time 1.5 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Neuville. Kalle Rovanperä and Takamoto Katsuta tied for the fourth fastest time on the stage. With both drivers posting a time 0.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Pierre-Louis Loubet rounded out the top five times on the stage, 4.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä and Katsuta.
SS13, Mühltal 2
Sebastien Ogier also took the stage win on the thirteenth stage of the Central European Rally. Posting a time 0.1 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take his second consecutive stage win. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Tänak. Takamoto Katsuta set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, 1.9 seconds slower than Katsuta.
SS14, Knaus Tabbert Bayerischer Wald 2
Kalle Rovanperä capped off the third day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. Setting a time 0.5 seconds faster than Rally Leader Thierry Neuville. Takamoto Katsuta finished third fastest on the stage, 3.9 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3 seconds slower than Katsuta. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 2 seconds slower than Suninen.
Evans Out
Elfyn Evans championship hopes were on the line this weekend. Now his championship hopes look bleak. This comes after Evans went off the road and crashed into a barn that was stageside. His car looks like it has no significant damage. However, it is now up to the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team mechanics to get the car ready for tomorrow. Evans can still keep the championship battle alive. However, all Rovanperä needs to do now is score 4 points and the championship is his once again. For Evans, a rough event has only gotten worse.
A Cautious Kalle
Kalle Rovanperä spent most of the third day of the Central European Rally being cautious. Rovanperä didn’t take many risks nor was he fully on the pace we’ve come to expect from the youngest champion in WRC history. With Evans seemingly out Rovanperä has nothing to push for. For Rovanperä position doesn’t matter. The only pressure he has at this point is finishing the event. Something that shouldn’t be much of an issue as there are only 4 stages tomorrow.
What To Expect Day Four Of The Central European Rally
The fourth and final day of the first-ever Central European Rally will see drivers contest four stages totalling 67.24 km. With no tire fitting zones or services on the day, drivers will look to preserve their tires for the Powerstage. With Thierry Neuville having a 26.2-second lead over Rovanperä heading into the final day he sits in a somewhat comfortable spot. This is due to Rovanperä likely not pushing as previously mentioned. Ott Tänak seems on track to take the final step of the podium. As he sits nearby a minute and a half behind Rovanperä and 31.1 seconds ahead of Ogier. Takamoto Katsuta could find himself in a battle with Teemu Suninen for fifth. However, from there, nobody is really close enough to one another. Pierre-Louis Loubet will once again be first on the road.
The second day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Kalle Rovanperä took the lead from Thierry Neuville on the day.
SS3, Vlachovo Brezi 1
Kalle Rovanperä started the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. With Rovanperä posting a time 1.8 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.6 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 1.1 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.1 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS4, Zvotoky 1
Kalle Rovanperä once again took the stage win on SS4. With the championship leader setting a time 10.1 seconds faster than Esapekka Lappi to win the stage. Elfyn Evans once again finished third fastest on the stage, 4.5 seconds slower than Lappi. Thierry Neuville posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 4.9 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 4 seconds slower than Neuville.
SS5, Sumavske Hostice 1
Kalle Rovanperä also took the win on the fifth stage of the Central European Rally. With the Fin posting a time 6.4 seconds faster than championship rival Elfyn Evans to win the stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 5.6 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 3.4 seconds slower than Neuville. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 5.8 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS6, Vlachovo Brezi 2
Elfyn Evans stopped Rovanperä’s dominance with a stage win on SS6. Evans would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take his first stage win of the day. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 6.9 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Grégoire Munster rounded out the top five on the stage, 2.9 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS7, Zvotoky 2
Kalle Rovanperä was back to his ways on the seventh stage of the Central European Rally. With Rovanperä posting a time 8 seconds faster than Thierry Neuville to take the stage win. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 1.7 seconds slower than Neuville. Ott Tänak set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 7.9 seconds slower than Evans. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 6.6 seconds slower than Tänak.
SS8, Sumavske Hostice 2
Thierry Neuville capped the second day of the Central European Rally with a stage win. The Belgian would set a time 1.1 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä to win the stage. Elfyn Evans finished third fastest on the stage, 10 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 5.7 seconds slower than Evans. Ott Tänak rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 6.4 seconds slower than Ogier.
Rovanperä Dominates
Kalle Rovanperä was at his A-game today. Winning 4 out of the day’s 6 stages and taking a 36.4-second lead over Thierry Neuville into day three. This is ideal for Rovanperä who has a chance to win the championship this weekend. Rovanperä sits 47.2 seconds up on his championship rival Elfyn Evans. All Rovanperä has to do now is hold his lead. This is Rovanperä however and he will likely continue to push tomorrow. As if he didn’t, there may be cause for concern.
Not Again
Esapekka Lappi is once again out of the rally due to an accident. His rally lasted 4 stages longer than it did in Chile earlier this month. However, on SS5 Lappi would go wide on a corner and clip a tree. Flinging his car into a berm and then off the road. His i20 was too damaged to continue. He may rejoin the event tomorrow but it’s looking unlikely.
What To Expect From Day Three Of The Central European Rally
Day three of the Central European Rally will see drivers compete two loops of three stages yet again. This time the loops are shorter, only totalling 54.75 km for each loop. Making the total stage kilometres on the stage 109.50. This time however Kalle Rovanperä won’t be the first on the road. He will be the last Rally1 car to drive the stage. Being the current rally leader is a slight disadvantage for Rovanperä on tarmac. As overtime, the more drivers cut on the stage the more dirt and mud will go out onto the road. Pierre-Louis Loubet will be first on the road as he currently sits last. Then Grégoire Munster second and Teemu Suninen third.
The first day of the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville leads the rally after the day.
SSS1, Velka Chuchle
Ott Tänak kicked off the Central European Rally with a stage win. Tänak would set a time 0.7 seconds faster than Sebastien Ogier to win the opening stage. Thierry Neuville finished third fastest on the stage, 0.3 seconds slower than Ogier. Esapekka Lappi posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Neuville. Teemu Suninen rounded out the top five on the stage, finishing 0.8 seconds slower than Lappi.
SSS2, Circuit Of Klatovy
Thierry Neuville topped the second stage of the weekend. Posting a time 2.2 seconds faster than Ott Tänak to take the rally lead. Kalle Rovanperä finished third fastest on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi set the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Sebastien Ogier rounded out the top five on the stage, 3.1 seconds slower than Lappi.
Not The Start Evans Was Hoping For
Elfyn Evans is in the pressure zone this weekend. As his championship hopes are on the line. Evans didn’t have the greatest start to the Central European Rally. As he currently sits 8th overall 10.7 seconds behind Thierry Neuville. More importantly, he sits 4.8 seconds behind his championship rival and teammate Kalle Rovanperä. Evans won the last time the WRC had a tarmac event. However, that was all the way back in April. There is a reason why Evans is behind, however. As on SSS2 he overshot a corner and lost time after his brakes locked up. Overall Evans probably doesn’t have much to worry about, however, those 4.8 seconds could be the difference maker in his championship hopes staying alive or ending this weekend.
What To Expect From Day Two Of The Central European Rally
The first full day of the Central European Rally will see drivers face two loops of three stages totalling 60.90 km each loop and 121.80 km total. Kalle Rovanperä will be the first on the road all day long. As he is the championship leader. This isn’t much of an issue for Rovanperä however. As tarmac rallies don’t require sweeping like gravel events do. It also is ideal for Rovanperä on the first run through each stage as over time more mud will be pulled out of corners from drivers cutting. The current forecast says the stages will be wet tomorrow. Which in turn means more mud for drivers to pull out and slicker roads overall.
The Shakedown stage for the Central European Rally has come to an end. Thierry Neuville set the fastest time on the stage.
Shakedown WRC1
Thierry Neuville topped the shakedown stage for the WRC1 class. Neuville would set a time 1.4 seconds faster than Kalle Rovanperä. Rally Chile BioBio winner Ott Tänak finished third fastest on the shakedown stage, 0.1 seconds slower than Rovanperä. Elfyn Evans posted the fourth fastest time on the stage, 0.7 seconds slower than Tänak. Esapekka Lappi rounded out the top five on the shakedown stage, 0.6 seconds slower than Evans.
Shakedown WRC2
Yohan Rossel topped the shakedown stage in the WRC2 class. Rossel would post a time 0.8 seconds faster than Adrien Fourmuax. Gus Greensmith finished with the third fastest time on the shakedown stage, 0.4 seconds slower than Fourmaux. WRC2 Championship leader Andreas Mikkelsen set the fourth fastest time on the shakedown stage, 0.8 seconds slower than Greensmith. Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top five in WRC2 on the stage, 0.2 seconds slower than Mikkelsen.
Stage Interrupted
The shakedown stage was brought to a stop. It was stopped due to emergency traffic needing to get through to a non-rally related emergency. Luckily this didn’t interfere with anyone’s run on the stage or prevent drivers from running the stage.
What To Expect From Day One Of The Central European Rally
Tomorrow (October 26th) marks the start of the first-ever Central European Rally. The event will kick off with two SuperSpecial stages. The first SuperSpecial is 2.55 km long and the second is 8.92km long. Not much will be decided tomorrow. As normally gaps on a SuperSpecial stage are tenths of a second between the top runners. However, with a near 9km stage, it’s possible there will be a couple seconds between the top drivers to end the day. Seconds that could help a driver win the event.
The 2023 World Rally Championship season continues this weekend with the twelfth round, the Central European Rally.
Drivers’ Championship Rundown
Kalle Rovanperä remained in the championship after a rough Rally Chile BioBio. Rovanperä managed to only lose two points to Elfyn Evans, who had an equally rough event. Heading into the penultimate round just 31 points separate the two Toyota drivers. The championship has a chance to be handed out this weekend as a result of this 31-point gap. All Rovanperä needs to do to win his second consecutive championship is score equal to or more points than Evans this weekend.
Moving on from the championship contenders to the rest of the top five. Thierry Neuville will likely be looking to close the gap between himself and Evans this weekend. As just 31 points separate the two. Second is the highest Neuville can achieve this season. This weekend may be Neuville’s best chance to close the gap between him and Evans if he wants a chance at second in the championship. As Neuville has won on German tarmac before. Neuville will likely receive pressure from his teammate next season Ott Tänak. As Tänak sits just 9 points behind the Belgian and is likely hungry to get on the podium in the championship. Sebastien Ogier still sits fifth even though he hasn’t driven since Greece. Ogier will return this weekend, however, the only thing he can do is hold position in the championship from Esapekka Lappi who sits just one point behind.
A Newish Experience
This weekend will mark the first-ever Central European Rally. With the event taking place in the Czech Republic, Germany and Austria. Some drivers have past experience on German tarmac, however, nobody has experience on it in a Rally1 car. Outside of Pre-event testing of course. Which is something all teams did before the event. As this is the first time tarmac has been seen in the WRC since April for the Croatia Rally. A new rally means it’s hard to know what to expect from every driver. Meaning the ones who are willing to take the risks could be rewarded big time, or have their chances at a win ended abruptly.
World Rally Team Rundowns
Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT
Hyundai sits in a decent spot currently. As the team and drivers have no pressure heading into the weekend. With the manufacturers’ championship being wrapped up in Chile, it takes that weight off the teams shoulders. This will likely allow the team to do some much-needed R&D throughout the event this weekend. It will also allow the drivers to learn the event with a bit less pressure on their shoulders. Thierry Neuville, Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen will drive for the team this weekend.
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
With Toyota wrapping up the Manufacturers championship in Chile it now turns the attention to the Drivers’ Championship. Something Kalle Rovanperä and Elfyn Evans are battling for currently. With the Manufacturers Championship out of the way, it’ll give Evans and Rovanperä a bit more breathing room. It’ll also potentially allow them to take more risks if they want to. Joining Rovnanperä and Evans this weekend will be Takamoto Katsuta and 8-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Ogier.
M-Sport Ford WRT
Pressure has been mentioned a lot in these rundowns. However, M-Sport really hasn’t had any pressure in a while. As Tänak hasn’t been competing for wins at the second half of the gravel events. Thanks to retirements or penalties. His first real chance since Rally Italia Sardegna to take a win was Rally Chile BioBio. Which he snapped up the opportunity and won showing he still has it. The Central European Rally will be Tänak’s penultimate event with M-Sport. As the Estonian is going back to Hyundai next season. This weekend will also be Pierre-Louis Loubet’s final event of the season. As Adrien Fourmuax is subbing in for Loubet at Rally Japan. Grégoire Munster will once again join Tänak and Loubet for this weekend’s event.