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Aichi (Japan) (AFP) – Hyundai’s Belgian driver Thierry Neuville won the latest Rally Japan of the World Rally Championship on Sunday after a flat tire caused his closest pursuer, Elfyn Evans, to crash out, while world champion Finland’s Kali Rovanpera finished twelfth.
Evans started Sunday four seconds behind Neuville, who finished on pole position on Saturday, and reduced the gap to just 0.6 seconds after a strong opening stage performance.
But a crash on the morning stage forced Evans to change a tire and drop out of the competition as Neuville pulled away from the lead.
Rovanpera was crowned with the title after winning Rally New Zealand last month, but Neuville was delighted to win his second race of the season.
“It’s a good feeling,” said the Belgian, who finished third behind Rovanpera and Estonia’s Ott Tanak in the world championship standings.
“It hasn’t been an easy weekend or an easy year, but to finish it off with a win and show good pace all weekend is a great way to finish off the season.”
Neuville finished the race 1:11.1 minutes ahead of Tanak II, who was driving his final race for Hyundai, while owner Takamoto Katsuta finished third after the rally returned to Japan for the first time since 2010.
Rovanpera became the youngest ever world champion when he captured the title in early October, one day after his 22nd birthday.
Saturday’s pothole ended the Finn’s chances of taking his seventh win of the season, and he finished with 255 points, 50 ahead of Tanak.
“It’s good to finish the season, I’ve been waiting for it for a long time. It takes a lot of strength to fight for the title and now I’m ready for the holidays,” he said.
Toyota previously clinched the Constructors’ Championship at Rally de Catalunya last month.
Ranking top five in Rally Japan:
1. Thierry Neuville Belgian (Hyundai) 2:43:52.3 hours
2. Estonian Ott Tanak (Hyundai), with a difference of 1:11.1 minutes
3. Japanese Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota), with a difference of 2:11.3 d
4. Frenchman Sebastien Auger (Toyota), 2:23.6 d
5. Briton Elvin Evans (Toyota), 4:05.1d
Final standings for the World Drivers’ Championship:
1. Kali Rovanpera (Toyota), Finland, 255 points
2. Estonian Ott Tanak (Hyundai) 205
3. The Belgian Thierry Neuville (Hyundai), 193
4. Briton Elvin Evans (Toyota) 134
5. Japanese Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota) 122
© 2022 AFP
