The Latest Breaking News from Kalle Rovanpera

Evans delivered an impressive display to overcome extreme wet conditions, and even snow showers, to lead home eight-time world champion Sebastien Ogier by 1m17.7s.

Katsuta has displayed blistering pace across the tricky asphalt stages at his home event, winning eight of the 16 stages to date.

Evans took a commanding 1m49.9s lead over team-mate Sebastien Ogier into the day’s eight stages after starring in treacherous wet conditions on Friday.

The Toyota driver carefully navigated through a trio of twisty asphalt stages - one affected by snow - with a 1m14.3s advantage over team-mate Sebastien Ogier.

The Toyota driver could afford to take a measured approach given his sizeable advantage, but ended the morning loop, held in dry conditions, winning two of the four stages, to lead by 1m35.5s. Nearest rival Ogier was able to claw 14.4s back on Evans across the morning.

Evans completed the day’s six stages with a 1m49.9s advantage over eight-time world champion Ogier, who incurred a one-minute penalty before the last stage of the day. The Frenchman checked out of the final service six minutes late following a repair to the door of his GR Yaris which was…

Evans puts his Toyota GR Yaris into a 26.0s lead over Neuville after winning the morning’s two stages held in extreme wet conditions, but the Welshman came under pressure from Neuville in the afternoon.

The Hyundai driver appeared to lock up under braking on the incredibly slippery wet asphalt, littered with leaves and pine needles, and went off the road, 11.8km into the Isegami’s Tunnel stage (24.67km). Sordo’s i20N darted to left before swiping some trees as the car slid down an embankment.

The Hyundai driver set the fastest time around the all-new 2.10km side-by-side super special stage, held inside the 45,000-seater Toyota Stadium, a host venue for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The Awards, which date back to 1982, celebrate the top drivers and competition machines each year. The nominees in the six categories open to public vote in 2023 have now been revealed (below).

Kalle Rovanpera has climbed up another notch in the World Rally Championship Hall of Fame following the successful defence of his world title.