Tänak’s second place was enough to maintain second place in the final standings. Neuville had to settle for third place, where he was 12 points behind Tänak. Finland’s Kalle Rovanperä already celebrated the title in October.
Neuville entered the final stage four seconds ahead of Elfyn Evans. However, the British pilot dropped to the final fifth position due to a defect in today’s opening special stage.
The 34-year-old Belgian scored his second triumph of the season and 17th overall in his career in Japan, where the rally championship returned after twelve years. He finished the season seventh on the podium – five times he was second and twice third.
Eight-time world champion Sébastien Ogier took fourth place in Japan. In the final standings, the 38-year-old Frenchman took sixth place, even though he only started in selected races.
| Results of the Japan Rally |
|---|
| Japan Rally, the final event of the World Rally Championship: |
| 1. Neuville, Wydaeghe (Belg./Hyundai i20) 2:43:52,3 |
| 2. Tänak, Järveoja (Est./Hyundai i20) -1:11.1 |
| 3. Kacuta, Johnston (Japan, Ir./Toyota Yaris) -2:11.3 |
| 4. Ogier, Landais (Fr./Toyota Yaris) -2:23.6 |
| 5. Evans, Martin (Brit./Toyota Yaris) -4:05,1 |
| 6. Greensmith, Andersson (Britain, Sweden/Ford Puma) -4:07.4 |
| Final order of the WC (after 13 races): |
| 1. Rovanperä (Fin./Toyota Yaris) 255 b. |
| 2. Thank you 205 |
| 3. Neuville 193 |
| 4. Evans 134 |
| 5. Katuta 122 |
| 6. Stallion 97, …29. Cais (Czech Republic/Ford Fiesta) |
| Team standings: |
| 1. Toyota 525 |
| 2. Hyundai 455 |
| 3. M-Sport/Ford 257 |
| 4. Toyota NG 138 |
