WRC – Fourmaux takes first rally lead since opening race of Japanese Super Special

2024 FORUM8 Rally Japan – Thursday Report

Adrien Fourmaux is reaching a career milestone after winning the opening stage of the FORUM8 Rally Japan, electrifying the Toyota Stadium crowd on Thursday evening.

The final round of the 2024 FIA World Rally Championship kicked off in spectacular style, with fans treated to two super specials at once that set the scene for three days of intense competition across more than 20 asphalt stages.

Fourmaux, driving the M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 HYBRID, beat Hyundai i20 N Rally1 HYBRID driver Ott Tänak by half a second. Toyota GAZOO Racing delighted local fans with home favorite Takamoto Katsuta finishing 0.3 seconds ahead in third place.

This is the first time Fourmaux has led a WRC rally, having competed in 58 WRC events and taken four podiums. The Frenchman’s enthusiasm was infectious as he absorbed the moment.

“I couldn’t come to Japan without neon lights.” he joked, referencing the prominent lights underneath his car. “I’m still living the dream I had when I was young. It was really fun. “It was great to see such a big crowd here.”

Elfyn Evans placed his GR Yaris Rally1 HYBRID in fourth place, just 0.9 seconds behind Fourmaux’s benchmark and 1.3 seconds ahead of championship leader Thierry Neuville. Neuville, who needs just six points to secure a first drivers’ title for both himself and Hyundai, remains laser-focused.

“We are definitely counting down the steps.” said the Belgian. “The team’s goals are clear and everyone is motivated but calm. Stress is easier to manage once the gathering begins. We just need to focus and work.”

Eight-time WRC champion Sébastien Ogier shared fifth place, matching Neuville’s time. Grégoire Munster and Andreas Mikkelsen rounded out the top eight, but Mikkelsen faced drama with a fuel surge problem.

“We were low on fuel!” shouted the Norwegian. “The car started to slow down and I had to drive left and right to keep going. “We barely reached the finish line.”

9th place went to WRC2 leader Nikolay Gryazin in his Citroën C3. Championship contender Sami Pajari finished second in class in his Toyota GR Yaris and needed a top-two finish this week to secure the WRC2 title.

The action resumes on Friday with eight stages covering a competitive distance of over 125km.