Toyota Gazoo Racing Sweeps Top Five in WRC Standings as Elfyn Evans Takes Lead to Greece

Toyota Gazoo Racing is executing a masterclass in the 2026 World Rally Championship. Following a spectacular performance at their home event, Rally Japan, the Japanese manufacturer has achieved an unprecedented milestone: their drivers now occupy the top five positions in the overall WRC drivers' standings. It is a display of depth and reliability that has left rival teams scrambling for answers as the season approaches its grueling summer stretch.[1][2]

The foundation for this leaderboard lockout was laid during a historic weekend in Japan, where Toyota secured a dominant 1-2-3-4 finish on home soil. That result not only delighted the local fans but fundamentally altered the championship math. By maximizing their points haul across the rally and the bonus-paying Power Stage, the Toyota squad built a formidable wall between themselves and the rest of the Rally1 grid.[1]

At the summit of this Toyota mountain sits Elfyn Evans. The Welshman has amassed 151 points, establishing a solid 20-point buffer over his closest rival. Evans has balanced raw speed with crucial consistency, avoiding the rally-ending mistakes that have plagued other title hopefuls. His victory in Japan served as a definitive statement of intent as he chases his elusive first World Rally Championship title.[1][2]

Directly behind Evans is his teammate, Takamoto Katsuta, who is enjoying a career-best run of form. Sitting on 131 points, Katsuta has evolved from a promising talent into a genuine championship contender. His performance in Japan proved he can handle the immense pressure of driving for a factory team on home turf, and he remains well within striking distance of the championship lead.[2]

The rest of the top five showcases Toyota’s potent mix of youth and veteran experience. Oliver Solberg holds third place with 102 points, continuing to impress in his return to top-tier machinery. Finnish rising star Sami Pajari sits closely behind in fourth with 96 points, while nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier rounds out the top five with 90 points, despite running a partial season schedule.[1][2]

This individual success translates directly to the manufacturers' standings, where Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT has built a commanding lead. With 370 points, they hold a massive 127-point advantage over Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT, who sit in second with 243 points. The secondary Toyota squad, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2, holds third with 106 points, further illustrating the sheer volume of GR Yaris Rally1 cars consistently finishing in the points.[2][3]

However, the championship narrative is about to face a severe test as the WRC circus heads to the notoriously brutal Acropolis Rally in Greece. Transitioning from the smooth, predictable tarmac of Japan to the punishing, sun-baked rocky gravel of the Greek mountains introduces a massive variable. The Acropolis is a rally of attrition, where mechanical sympathy is just as important as outright pace.[1]

For Evans, his championship lead comes with a significant penalty in Greece: the "road sweeping" effect. As the points leader, Evans will be the first car on the road during the opening leg. He will be tasked with clearing the loose gravel and dust from the racing line, effectively sweeping the road and providing a cleaner, faster surface with vastly superior grip for the cars running behind him.[1]

This dynamic offers a lifeline to the challenger teams. Hyundai Motorsport, led by Thierry Neuville, and the M-Sport Ford squad, featuring Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean in their Puma Rally1 cars, will look to capitalize on their more favorable road positions. By starting further back in the running order, they hope to set blistering times on the swept roads and claw back crucial championship points to break Toyota's stranglehold.[1][6]

While the top tier is locked down by Toyota, the second-tier WRC2 class is delivering a wide-open thriller. Nikolay Gryazin currently leads the WRC2 standings following a class victory in Japan behind the wheel of his Lancia Ypsilon YF Rally2. However, Gryazin has opted not to enter the Acropolis Rally, a strategic choice that blows the championship doors wide open for the chasing pack.[1]

Gryazin's absence presents a golden opportunity for a tight cluster of contenders. His Lancia teammate Yohan Rossel, along with Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 driver Roope Korhonen and Leo Rossel, all sit just four points behind the championship lead. Meanwhile, Alejandro Cachon is only 10 points adrift. The grueling Greek stages will serve as a high-stakes battleground where the WRC2 championship lead is almost guaranteed to change hands.[1]

As the engines fire up in Greece, the 2026 World Rally Championship stands at a fascinating crossroads. Toyota Gazoo Racing has proven they have the ultimate pace and reliability, but the Acropolis Rally cares little for past results. With the road-sweeping disadvantage looming over Evans and a hungry pack of teammates and rivals eager to close the gap, the battle for the WRC crown is far from settled.[1][4]