P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Elfyn Evans led FORUM8 Rally Japan by 1min 49.9sec overnight after extreme conditions in Friday’s opening leg caught out several
Despite a minor setback in the second stage, Welsh driver Elfyn Evans finished the morning session with a 26-second advantage over Thierry Neuville. However, Neuville’s hopes for a comeback were dashed when he crashed his Hyundai into a tree in the following test. Evans maintained his lead and led a Toyota Gazoo Racing podium lockout. Sébastien Ogier became Evans’ closest competitor after Neuville’s retirement, but admitted it would be difficult to catch up. Kalle Rovanperä, newly crowned WRC champion, took a cautious approach due to debris on the road and finished the day in third place.
