Elfyn Evans was in a position to finish the Monte Carlo Rally in podium positions, but a track exit ruined his work. Despite everything, the Welsh driver showed that Sébastien Ogier’s performance in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 was not a question of the Frenchman’s talent. The Japanese ‘Rally1’ was born with good wicks and not only because of Ogier’s second place finish or Rovanperä’s fourth, but because of the glimpses Evans himself had along the ‘Mount’.
The Welshman Elfyn Evans had everything in his hands to get on the podium, but a driving error took the two-time WRC runner-up’s Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 off track on SS11. The work of the fans returned the car to the track, but with a lost time that prevented Evans from entering the top ten. For that reason, Evans’ only haul at the end of the Monte-Carlo Rally consisted of the four points he scored on the Power Stage. Low income for the good feelings harvested.
In fact, Elfyn Evans was satisfied with the performance of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1: «I would say I had a car to challenge the leaders at the Monte Carlo Rally. I think it’s something I can do during the year. It is true that there are many rallies that are very specific and it is difficult to know how we will do there, but the car has the ingredients to be competitive. The boys have done a very good job.. It is always difficult because the tests are not very extensive, but I have felt better than expected.
In this line, the Welsh pilot adds: «To be honest I was much happier with the car during the Monte Carlo Rally than I had been in testing.. This is thanks to the whole team because they have put a lot of effort into giving me a better car. All the cars finished without any mechanical problems, so it’s a big mark on the starting grid and I have to thank all the guys on the team. The hybrid system works quite well, although perhaps I did not take full advantage of it».
almost without rest, Elfyn Evans has already started preparing for Rally Sweden, second appointment of the season in the WRC. The Scandinavian test is the only one on the calendar that takes place on snow and ice, so it is a very specific challenge for drivers and co-drivers, as well as for the car itself. Despite everything, Evans hopes to achieve a good result in Sweden that will allow him to cling to the top positions.