SPIN, The Rally Pod

Esapekka Lappi moved from Toyota to Hyundai. Craig Breen moved from M-Sport to Hyundai. Takamoto Katsuta earned a promotion to the main Toyota team. Just your average week in the WRC, then... Here's our verdict on Hyundai and Toyota's 2023 driver lineups. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

We all expected Toyota to win on home turf, and yet it was Thierry Neuville who took victory for Hyundai. What does that mean for the 2023 season? And what can be said about Japan's return to the WRC? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The first leg of Rally Japan was drama-filled, with a scary fire for Dani Sordo, another crash for Craig Breen and stages cancelled. Elfyn Evans kept his cool to hold the early lead. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Colin Clark and David Evans discuss the challenge facing the crews in Japan this weekend as the 2022 World Rally Championship draws to a close on the tight and twisty asphalt roads around Aichi. Who has the advantage? Only time will tell... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's the last round of the year, but there's plenty still to prove. What can we expect from Japan, and who do we think will win? Plus, what does Andreas Mikkelsen do now his Hyundai return looks to be off? It's all here on this week's pod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The World Rally Championship returns to Japan this week after more than a decade away. We have plenty of memories from previous editions – including events on the stages and experiencing the country’s special culture. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Hyundai faces a difficult decision ahead of 2023 as to who should partner Thierry Neuville. But who would we pick, and what strategy should the team adopt - commit fully to Neuville as its number one or bring in more equal partners? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ott Tänak will leave Hyundai at the end of the year, but who will replace him, and what does Tänak himself do now? It's all discussed in this week's SPIN, The Rally Pod See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

How did Ogier mastermind an emphatic first victory of his 2022 season? Colin Clark and Luke Barry recap all the action on the final day of Rally Spain. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

A battle royale was expected between Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä on Saturday - but Ogier was simply too good for Rovanperä who was swallowed by Thierry Neuville. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Colin Clark and Luke Barry evaluate a potentially weather-influenced Rally Spain – can Hyundai fight with Toyota, is the pressure on Evans to deliver, and what chances do M-Sport have of a result here? See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

DirtFish talks with all the leading World Rally Championship contenders in the lead-up to Rally Spain. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Our SPIN, The Rally Pod team discuss the dramatic ARA finale in which Ken Block crashed out of on the opening day. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ken Block is in the box seat to win his first ARA National title – can he fend off Subaru to clinch the crown? That, plus a deep dive into WRC Rally New Zealand, is debated by George Donaldson, Nate Tennis, Luke Barry and Lisa O'Sullivan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Naturally, a lot of discussion surrounds Kalle Rovanperä's magnificent title win, but the SPIN, The Rally Pod team also assesses the success of Rally New Zealand after a 10 year hiatus See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Kalle Rovanperä is the 2022 World Rally champion. Hear what he has to say about that, and what Colin Clark and David Evans make of what he's achieved See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Colin Clark and David Evans recap Saturday's action on Rally New Zealand, a day of lead changes, crashes, and yet more penalties for Hyundai. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Colin Clark has a theory. Toyota, it's going to struggle in New Zealand. David Evans says that's nonsense. It's not long until we find out. Join Clark and Evans as they look ahead to Rally New Zealand 2022 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

It's been a decade since the WRC was last in New Zealand, but just how good are the roads? We speak to the major players to get their thoughts ahead of the event. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Why M-Sport has left Fourmaux behind for New Zealand, the chances of a Craig Breen win and Toyota's recent struggles are all discussed in the latest episode with David Evans, Colin Clark, George Donaldson and Lisa O'Sullivan. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Ken Block took a vitally important win on STPR over Brandon Semenuk. It's set up a thrilling ARA title fight, but some championships have already been wrapped up... See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

The SPIN, The Rally Pod team wrap up an eventful Acropolis Rally, which lived up to its unforgiving reputation last weekend, while also looking ahead to the next round of the American Rally Association presented by DirtFish National series. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Thierry Neuville wins his first event in 11 months, Ott Tänak closed the gap to Kalle Rovanperä, Dani Sordo completed an historic 1-2-3. Hyundai was the winner in Greece, but there was controversy See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Should Hyundai impose team orders? And what a day of drama! Catch up with the latest from Saturday in Acropolis See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

M-Sport has had a brilliant day as Sébastien Loeb leads, but Pierre-Louis Loubet was the real star of Friday See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .