Elfyn Evans: “Great confidence with the Yaris”

In the margins of Rally Monte-Carlo, Tommi Mäkinen, Team Principal of the Japanese team, was full of praise for his trio of drivers, and indicated that they would have to reckon with Elfyn Evans this season.

Long confined to the favorites over the duration of a season, the Welshman has proven since his debut with Toyota qu’il faudrait clairement compter avec lui cette année. En verve sur l’asphalte et la glace du Monte-Carl’, l’ancien pilote M-Sport Ford est le premier du nouveau trio du Gazoo Racing to impose the Yaris in 2020.

A success acquired on Swedish tracks far from their usual trappings, with snow and ice reduced to their simplest expression, offering delicate conditions to understand with studded tires. But a terrain that smiled on Evans, more and more in harmony with his car.

“It’s great to get my first victory with Toyota Gazoo Racing in our second event together, comments the Briton at the finish of the Scandinavian event.

I have to give a lot of credit to the team for not only giving me a great car, but also for supporting me and helping get the car where I wanted it.

The car gives me great confidence, and in changing conditions like those we have experienced here, this is essential. The riding has been impeccable so far and I hope we can continue to feel this feeling on gravel in the events to come. »

A success, the first for a Briton in Sweden, which propelled Evans to the top of the Drivers' World Championship standings with Thierry Neuville and which allows Toyota to take orders from manufacturers.

Discover the full report and analysis of the Swedish Rally, produced by our special correspondent in Karlstad, in issue 2255 of AUTOhebdo, available from Wednesday evening in digital version and from February 21 on newsstands.