WRC
Evans stays cool in tightening WRC title race
Elfyn Evans says composure remains key as he heads into the final stretch of the FIA World Rally Championship season locked in one of the closest title fights in modern history.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver finished second at Central European Rally, snatching the position from Ott Tänak on the Wolf Power Stage to complete a GR Yaris Rally1 one-two. Crucially, he also outscored event-winning team-mate Kalle Rovanperä by two points across Super Sunday to depart the WRC’s 12th round with a 13-point lead.
The outcome also swung momentum firmly in Evans’ favour after colleague Sébastien Ogier, who led him by two points prior to the weekend, crashed out on Saturday while battling Rovanperä for the rally lead. The Frenchman salvaged 10 points from Super Sunday and the Wolf Power Stage but still lost his place at the top of the standings.
“I’ll be honest - I wasn’t that confident I could do it,” Evans admitted. “Yesterday wasn’t good for us, and all weekend Kalle and Séb were clearly faster. I didn’t expect to beat them [across Super Sunday], but I knew I had to be right on their heels at least. In the end, yeah - it’s positive to claw back a couple of points. That could be important.”
© Toyota
Evans’ measured drive through Sunday’s stages capped a strong recovery after a frustrating Saturday, when he lost touch with the leaders in greasy conditions. A combination of car adjustments and subtle changes in driving approach helped him rediscover rhythm.
“It was a mix of things, really,” he explained. “I adjusted my driving style a little, and we also made some changes to the car last night - that was a positive step for me. Everything just came together a bit better today.”
While the battle for the crown has intensified - with Evans, Rovanperä and Ogier separated by only 13 points - the Welshman insists he is keeping emotions in check despite finishing runner-up in the drivers’ championship on four previous occasions.
Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin, WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2025
© WRC
Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin, WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo 2025
© WRC
Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin, WRC Rally Sweden 2025
© WRC
Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin, WRC Rally Sweden 2025
© WRC
“Honestly, I try not to look at it too much - it’s better that way,” he said. “If you stress too much about the championship, it takes your focus away from the job. So I just concentrate on the task at hand.”
Next up is Rally Japan (6 – 9 November), where Evans will open the road on the narrow and technical asphalt stages around Aichi and Gifu. The challenge, he says, will depend heavily on the conditions.
“It depends a lot on the weather in Japan,” he noted. “We’ve seen in the past that when it rains, it brings all the leaves down, and the road almost cleans itself. We’ll have to wait and see how things play out - I don’t know yet if road position will be a benefit or a disadvantage.”
