Ott Tänak leads Rally Japan, Thierry Neuville out of top 10 due to mechanical problem

Arriving in Japan with a 25-point lead over Ott Tänak and in a strong position in the Championship, Thierry Neuville (Hyundai) will perhaps lose the world title due to a mechanical problem. The Belgian, who started Friday's day with a scratch in SS2, found himself slowed down by a loss of power, which could be of electronic origin, since SS4, forced to drive very slowly, and continually lost time: 40 seconds in this SS4, 2'30'' in SS5, 2'8'' in SS6, 1'50'' in SS7 and another 34'' more in both latest super special, yet very short (2.54 km). At the end of this cursed day, Neuville found himself very far down in the standings, 15th, more than seven minutes behind.