Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin secured their third Rally Japan victory in four years, extending their lead at the top of the FIA World Rally Championship standings as the 2026 season reaches its halfway stage.
The pace-setting British duo – both graduates of the Motorsport UK Academy – moved into the lead on the second stage and never looked back, claiming their second victory of the season with a composed and commanding performance.
Having shifted from its traditional November slot to late May, this year’s Rally Japan was contested in significantly warmer weather with temperatures exceeding 30°C and presenting competitors with a very different challenge.
Despite the significant change in conditions, Evans once again excelled on the narrow, twisting mountain roads that wind through Japan’s forest-covered terrain. After taking the lead, he and co-driver Martin expertly managed the rally, guiding their Toyota GR Yaris to an unassailable victory.
The triumph marked Evans’ 13th career WRC win and his 50th World Rally Championship podium finish. It also increased his championship advantage to 20 points at the midpoint of the season.
“It’s a great feeling to be able to win Rally Japan again and be part of another very good result here for our team,” said the Welshman, who led home a dominant Toyota 1-2-3-4 clean sweep on the manufacturer’s home event.
“I have to say a huge thanks to everyone in the team for giving us such an amazing car again.
“It’s been a tight and fun battle all the way through with some pressure from our team-mates. We were able to make a good start and take advantage of our position to make some good times on Friday, and then we managed to maintain that until the end. It’s been an enjoyable last dance with these cars on asphalt and I’m really happy to end it with a win.”
Despite extending his lead in the championship standings, Evans is far too experienced to get carried away by title talk. He has topped the WRC standings at various stages in previous seasons, only to finish runner-up five times in the last six years.
“In terms of the championship, even though we lead it’s still too early to really talk about it,” he added. “We have to just enjoy this win, our third at Rally Japan.”
Should Evans and Martin finally lift the world crown, it would provide a timely boost for British rallying, with the World Rally Championship set to return to UK soil in 2027 for the eagerly anticipated Rally Scotland – click here for more information on this new event.