Yuki Yamamoto secures maiden WRC2 podium at Rally Japan

Yuki Yamamoto broke through for his first WRC2 podium at FORUM8 Rally Japan, delivering a career-best performance in front of his home crowd. Partnered with co-driver James Fulton, the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program driver navigated the challenging stages with a controlled and consistent pace to secure third place behind Nikolay Gryazin and Alejandro Cachón.

The result marks a significant turnaround for the 29-year-old, who faced a difficult 2026 season defined by early retirements and an absence from Rally Sweden. Following a mid-season focus on improving consistency, Yamamoto successfully executed his target of a podium finish, overcoming tricky conditions on the opening Friday to maintain a strong position for the remainder of the rally.

Reflecting on the achievement, Yamamoto noted that the intense local support provided additional motivation throughout the weekend. With his first major trophy secured, the Japanese driver is now looking to carry this momentum forward as he continues his development in the WRC2 category, with his next outing scheduled for the EKO Acropolis Rally Greece.