Elfyn Evans on the mat, Ogier takes off

Thunderbolt in Monza! Championship leader Elfyn Evans, who has so far achieved an excellent rally while in control, perhaps lost everything during the eleventh stage of the championship final WRC. On an extremely tricky road between rain and snow and icy conditions, the Welshman made a mistake.

He lost control of his Toyota, spun then finished in the background, among the trees. The driver got nothing, but had to abandon the special. “It’s crazy, there are no words, commented Tommi Makinen, the boss of Toyota. All we wanted was a champion battle. He had an incredible rally, it's really hard. »

In the meantime, Sébastien Ogier went into survival mode and managed to reach the finish line without damage, in first place, six seconds ahead Ott Tanak. Elfyn Evans had the class to warn Ogier of the danger of the turn from the side.

“It was incredible, the corner where he came out there's nothing to do, it's ice. I'm really sorry for him, reacted the Frenchman, who shook his head at the end of the special, disgusted for his teammate.

The championship is far from over with what remains to be done. Until now I was enjoying it but now... It's just surviving. »

Is the Frenchman winning the title? In any case, he leads the rally with 20 seconds ahead of Dani Sordo who limited the damage to Ott Tänak.

If we left it there, Sébastien Ogier would be titled for the seventh time in his career. He has an 11-point lead over Evans and the Power Stage wouldn't change anything. Evans' only hope is to see Ogier move back down the hierarchy.

And luck continues to smile on him. The snow covered the route of special stage no. 12 with a thick white coat, which was canceled because only Esapekka Lappi had snow tires. Sébastien Ogier can be relieved, it looked like it was going to be difficult.