Lots to catch up on. Ogier has struggled in the last few rounds, with issues at both the Acropolis and Chile, all but killing his title chances. Mathematically he can still claim his 9th title, but he needs Neuville and Tanak to drop a lot of points. Ogier is 41 points behind Neuville and 12 behind Tanak with 60 points on the table at CER and Rally Japan.
Elfyn Evans is technically still in with a shot, but needs to overcome a 46 point deficit to Neuville in 2 rounds to do so.
It is Neuvilles to lose, with 2 events that should play to his strengths, particularly the Central European Rally, which Neuville dominated last season. A maximum points haul at CER this season would secure his 1st title. However a maximum point weekend has only been achieved once this season under the new points system, which was Neuville way back at the first round in Monte Carlo.
It's worth noting how phenomenal a job Ogier has done despite the last few rounds being disappointing. Aside from Greece and Chile, he has been on the podium at every even he has competed this season, not finishing lower than 2nd. Started the season as a part time 3rd driver and therefore didn't compete in Sweden, Kenya or Poland, still scored a combined 25 points in Greece and Chile despite incidents and despite all of this can still take the title. Remarkable.
Hyundai meanwhile hold a slender 17 point advantage over Toyota in the constructors championship, after Toyota took a huge chunk out of them in Chile. Both teams will field strong lineups at CER, it will be interesting to see who gets nominated to score points. Hyundai will enter with Neuville, Tanak and Mikkelsen, whilst Toyota go in with Ogier, Evans, Katstuta and Pajari (who debuts on Tarmac in Rally1).
In driver news, it is heavily rumoured now that Adrien Formaux has signed for Hyundai for next season, on a 1+1 year deal as a 3rd driver with a full schedule contracted alongside Neuville and Tanak. This would be a big move for Adrien who has driven above expectations, with 4 podiums to his name this season. Compared to teammate Gregoire Munster who has only finished 8 rallies with a best result of 5th.
Toyota are expected to field Kalle Rovanpera, back to a full time drive, alongside Elfyn Evans. Jari-Matti Latvala has indicated they need 3 full time drivers for the championship so a 3rd driver full time driver will likely be announced. Currently it's unknown if they will choose Takamoto Katstuta for the seat after he was dropped for Rally Chile in a surprise move. Sami Pajari has impressed and would be a natural progression for him after a stellar season in WRC2 at the wheel of the new Rally2 Yaris and a season in which he took his first WRC Rally1 stage win at Rally Finland. Ogier is yet to confirm his own plans.
M-Sport are yet to confirm any of their drivers having seemingly lost their battle to keep Formaux in the face of uncertainty over their WRC future. Munster has disappointed and M-Sport need a strong season to justify staying around in 2026. With Esapekka Lappi and Andrea's Mikkelsen both seemingly available, and the likes of Yohan Rossel knocking on the door of Rally1, they have options. Oliver Solberg will be a target but sponsorship deals may put pay to any chance they would have of being able to sign him.
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