GAZOO Racing World Rally Team secured a historic Rally Japan victory with a 1-2-3-4 finish on June 3, 2026. Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin led the podium sweep in the No. 33 Toyota GR YARIS Rally1. Meanwhile, teammates Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais finished in second place overall.
The team dominated the event in Toyota City, which marks the fourth win for the vehicle in five editions. Notably, this race represents the final appearance of the current Rally1 regulations on Japanese roads before the 2027 updates. Consequently, the team celebrated this specific Rally Japan victory as a milestone for the current vehicle generation.
“Elfyn, Scott, congratulations on your third Rally Japan victory! You were incredibly fast on the autumn roads we drove on until last year, and you were just as fast on the fresh green roads this time.”
Akio Toyoda, GR-WRT Chairman
Details of the Rally Japan victory
Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen finished third, while Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston secured fourth place. This clean sweep allowed the manufacturer to extend its lead in the championship standings. Specifically, the team now holds a significant advantage in the global automotive racing series.
Championship Standings and Points
Toyota extended its manufacturers’ championship lead to 127 points following the successful weekend. Evans now leads the drivers’ championship by 20 points. Furthermore, GAZOO Racing crews occupy four of the top five positions in the current standings. This performance highlights the team’s technical preparation and strategic execution during the season.
Weather and Road Conditions
The event took place in warmer temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius due to its move to late May. These narrow mountain roads in the Aichi and Gifu prefectures, known for regional tourism, presented a different challenge for tyres and vehicles. However, Evans and Martin excelled on the Isegami’s Tunnel stage to build an early lead. Ogier and Landais finished just 12.8 seconds behind them.
Future Outlook in Greece
The eighth round of the 2026 FIA WRC will be the Acropolis Rally Greece, scheduled for June 25-28. This upcoming event features rocky mountain roads and high summer temperatures. Therefore, the team must prepare for demanding gravel conditions. The transition from asphalt to gravel will test the durability of the vehicles and the adaptability of the drivers.
