GAZOO Racing Sweeps Rally Japan 2026: Evans Wins, Toyota Extends Championship Lead

GAZOO Racing just delivered a clean sweep on Toyota's home ground, securing a landslide 1-2-3-4 finish at Rally Japan. Both Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin crossed the line first in Car 33, claiming their third Rally Japan victory. It was Evans's 13th WRC win and his 50th career podium. Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais finished second just 12.8 seconds behind the leader. Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen took third place, their fifth podium in the last six rallies. It was also their sixth top-three finish since claiming their first WRC win just six months ago. Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston completed the sweep in fourth position. 

With this historic 1-2-3-4 finish, Toyota claimed a 127-point lead in the manufacturers' championship. This marks a record-breaking 50th consecutive stage win on asphalt during the event for the GR Yaris Rally1. 

What Makes the Rally Japan 2026 Different

The Rally moved from the November slot to late May, creating harsh conditions. The temperature exceeded 30°C across the winding mountain roads of Aichi and Gifu prefectures. So the conditions were opposite compared to the cool autumn conditions of previous editions. The narrow forest stages and tight mountain roads tested tyres, cooling systems, and driver composure under heat that wasn’t the case previously.

Both race leaders, Evans and Martin, used their position at the front of the start order to build an early advantage, particularly through the iconic Isegami Tunnel stage. Their teammates also pushed hard, but the gap leaders created was remarkable; that's why they were able to hold their pace and defend their position. Third-place holder Pajari and Salminen's strong performance is the most impressive subplot of the 2026 season. Six months since their first win, and now they have appeared on the podium six times.

What Akio Toyoda Said

The GR-WRT Chairman, Akio Toyoda, commented, "Elfyn and Scott, you are the only crew to have won this many times in front of my eyes," Toyoda said. "I think that means we are a special team together," and congratulated them on their third Rally Japan victory!

What This Means for the Season

GAZOO Racing enters the next phase of the 2026 WRC season with momentum, a comfortable championship lead, and four competitive crews all capable of winning. Last month, they secured a double podium at Rally de Portugal. Even though the GR Yaris Rally1 has been consistently dominant again in the gravel rounds ahead will test the team.

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