After a great start to the season, Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT driver, Elfyn Evans, standout 2020 driver, analyzes his outstanding results. “It is not more than I expected”, said the British pilot in relation to his impressive start to the course.

After his third place in Monaco, his victory in Sweden and a fourth place in Mexico, Evans is second in the Drivers’ Classification, just eight points from the leader and teammate, Sébastien Ogier.

Showing an amazing capability to adapt, during the debut of his Yaris WRC, the 31-year-old rider led half of the 16 stages at ‘El Monte’, ended up with a third place on the podium. In round two, in Sweden, and thanks to a fantastic display in the ever challenging Scandinavian territory, he claimed his ever second win. Weeks later, in Mexico, he came close to uncork the champagne.

 

 

After these results, it is not surprising that he has received countless compliments, but he is not satisfied with the achievements so far and wants (much) more.

“Obviously, you want to be on top, that is always the goal. So I have not exceeded my expectations. But probably, I would have signed for this results in advance, especially considering my past record”.

“Last year we were showing good performances and it is good to start putting things together. There is still work to be done in some areas, but things are working quite well at the moment,” said Elfyn Evans.

The Toyota star came to the Rally Mexico (12-14 March) as leader of the world classification, so he had to open the road on Friday 13 specials. Obviously, this circumstance became a great disadvantage for his sporting aspirations, since in his wake he left faster sections, offering greater grip for the rivals who started after him.

 

 

“After opening road on the first day in Mexico, the fourth place (there) is not so bad,” said Elfyn Evans.

Moreover, only a series of incidents in his car during the last Mexican day prevented him from fighting – for the third time this season – for the podium. Specifically, that fateful Saturday he damaged the direction of its Japanese rocket after hitting a rock, which also caused him problems in the brake system.

“Overall, I felt that everything went pretty well. The team seemed to be quite satisfied compared to the information they had received in the past. So my feeling in the morning loop had gone as well as possible. However, some aspects can still be improved a little, but in general it has been good “, he said.

Evans, member of a magic trio

Integrated into a powerful team with the best car of the event, it is postulated as one of the contenders for the crown. In the other official WRC Yaris are the French six-time champion and second most successful WRC rider, Seb Ogier, as well as the talented Finnish newcomer, Kalle Rovanperä.

In short, a fearsome trident whose spearhead could be the UK runner. In fact, he warned it as soon as he signed for the Jyväskylä formation: “I do not come to Toyota to copy Ogier.” Well, he is keeping his word.

 

 

It must be recalled that before joining the formation led by Tommi Mäkinen in 2020, the British had spent his entire career in the ranks of M-Sport Ford. Precisely, behind the wheel of one of his Fiesta WRCs, he achieved his first victory in the World Rally Championship in 2017. To his countrymen delight, the feat took place at the Wales-Great Britain Rally.

Images: Elfyn Evans Twitter.