Adrien Fourmaux has made a remarkable start to the FORUM8 Rally Japan 2024, seizing the lead after an exhilarating performance in the opening super special stage held at the iconic Toyota Stadium.
The event marked a major milestone for the french driver as it is the first time he has ever led a World Rally Championship (WRC) rally, and he did so with impressive flair.
The Rally Japan 2024 super special stage which featured two cars racing simultaneously on a short spectator-friendly course set the tone for what promises to be an exciting WRC season finale.
As the rally kicked off, Adrien Fourmaux driving an M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID showcased his skills and determination after completing the stage with a time of 1 minute and 44.4 seconds, narrowly edging out his closest rival Hyundai’s Ott Tanak who finished just half a second behind.
This close contest between Fourmaux and Tänak not only thrilled the fans but also highlighted the competitive spirit that characterizes the WRC.
The Toyota Stadium was packed with enthusiastic spectators who were treated to a spectacular display of speed and skill as drivers navigated the tight turns and technical sections of the super special stage stage. The atmosphere was electric, with fans cheering on their favorite drivers.
Adrien Fourmaux’s performance alongside co-driver Alex Coria was particularly noteworthy as he managed to maintain composure under pressure, demonstrating his ability to handle the high-stakes environment of a WRC event.
Home favourite Takamoto Katsuta representing Toyota GAZOO Racing also delivered an impressive performance, finishing third in the super special stage with a time of 1 minute and 45.2 seconds. His strong showing delighted local fans who came out in droves to support him.
Katsuta’s drive reflected his familiarity with the challenging Japanese terrain, which often features narrow roads and unpredictable weather conditions.
His Toyota teammate Elfyn Evans followed closely behind in fourth place with a time of 1 minute and 45.3 seconds. Evans has been a consistent performer throughout the season and was eager to capitalize on his experience to secure valuable points for both himself and his team in the crucial Rally Japan 2024 final round.
Meanwhile, championship leader Thierry Neuville faced a challenging start as he finished fifth in the super special stage with a time of 1 minute and 46.6 seconds in his Hyundai.
Neuville is on the cusp of securing his first WRC title and needs only six points from this rally to clinch it. Despite not finishing at the top of the leaderboard in this stage, he remains focused on his objectives for the weekend.
Eight-time WRC champion Sebastien Ogier matched Neuville’s time but finished sixth in his Toyota due to tiebreaker rules that favor earlier entries. Ogier’s experience will be invaluable as he navigates through the remaining stages of Rally Japan 2024.
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M-Sport Ford’s Gregoire Munster finished seventh in the opening stage with a time of 1 minute and 47.2 seconds. Munster’s performance reflects his growing confidence in the WRC as he continues to develop as a driver.
Hyundai’s Andreas Mikkelsen encountered some difficulties during the super special stage but managed to secure eighth place with a time of 1 minute and 48.1 seconds. Mikkelsen’s struggles were evident as he faced fuel surge issues that threatened his performance; however, he managed to push through to finish strong.
Nikolay Gryazin rounded out the top ten with a time of 1 minute and 49.4 seconds with his Citroën C3 Rally2 car marking the fastest WRC2 contender. Gryazin’s performance continues to highlight his potential within the championship as he battles for points in the competitive category.
The super special stage served as an exciting kickoff for Rally Japan 2024, setting up what promises to be an intense battle over the next few days across more than 300 kilometers of competitive distance spread over 21 stages.
The unique challenges posed by Japan’s asphalt roads—characterized by narrow passages and varying grip levels—will test all competitors as they seek to secure their positions in both individual driver standings and manufacturers’ championships.
With Adrien Fourmaux leading after day one, attention will now shift to how he manages this newfound position against title rivals Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak. Meanwhile, Hyundai currently leads Toyota by just 15 points.
The dynamics of the Rally Japan 2024 are further complicated by weather conditions that can change rapidly, impacting tyre choices and overall strategy for teams.
As we look forward to Friday’s stages—covering over 125 kilometers—drivers will need to adapt quickly to maintain their momentum from the opening day.
