LINDHOLM SALVAGES WRC2 POINTS WITH FOURTH-PLACE FINISH AT RALLY JAPAN

Former WRC2 champion battles demanding stages to secure valuable result as championship heads into gravel season

TOYOTA CITY, JAPAN (May 31, 2026) – Emil Lindholm and co-driver Gabriel Morales secured a fourth-place finish in the WRC2 category at Rally Japan, overcoming a challenging weekend on the asphalt roads of Aichi and Gifu prefectures during the seventh round of the FIA World R

ally Championship.

Competing in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 prepared by Toksport WRT, the Finnish-Brazilian pairing faced a difficult event on some of the championship's most technical and unforgiving stages. Despite the challenges, Lindholm collected valuable championship points by bringing the car home fourth among the WRC2 contenders.

DIFFICULT WEEKEND FOR LINDHOLM

Rally Japan's narrow, twisty mountain roads once again proved to be one of the most demanding asphalt events on the WRC calendar. The former WRC2 champion struggled to match the pace of the category frontrunners but maintained a consistent performance throughout the event to secure a points-paying finish.

"It was not an easy rally, but bringing home points was important. The stages were extremely demanding and required total commitment from start to finish."

Only eleven crews were registered to score WRC2 points in Japan, making every position crucial in the championship battle.

HOME HEROES DELIVER IN WRC MASTERS CUP

Japanese veterans Osamu Fukunaga and Misako Saida provided local fans with a solid performance in their Three Five Motorsport-entered Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.

The experienced duo finished fifth in the WRC Masters Cup classification, rewarding the large crowds that lined the roads throughout the event. Rally Japan once again attracted tens of thousands of enthusiastic spectators, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the championship's visit to the country.

"The support from the fans was incredible all weekend. Japanese rally fans continue to create one of the most unique atmospheres in the championship."

FOCUS SHIFTS TO GRAVEL

With Rally Japan completed, the FIA World Rally Championship now moves into the second half of the 2026 season. The remaining rounds will all be contested on gravel, presenting a significantly different challenge for crews and teams.

The championship resumes in four weeks with the legendary Acropolis Rally Greece, where rough roads, high temperatures and endurance will replace the precision required on Japan's asphalt stages.

For Lindholm and Morales, the switch to gravel could provide an opportunity to regain momentum as they continue their WRC2 campaign in pursuit of stronger results during the remainder of the season.

ŠKODA CREWS AT RALLY JAPAN – KEY POINTS

• Emil Lindholm / Gabriel Morales (Toksport WRT) finished fourth in WRC2.

• The Finnish-Brazilian crew collected valuable championship points despite a difficult event.

• Rally Japan featured only eleven WRC2 points-scoring crews.

• Japanese veterans Osamu Fukunaga / Misako Saida finished fifth in the WRC Masters Cup.

• Tens of thousands of spectators attended the championship's visit to Japan.

• The second half of the WRC season will be contested entirely on gravel.

• Next round: Acropolis Rally Greece.