WRC
Evans: We have to keep pushing after Chile title race frustration
Elfyn Evans says he must “keep on pushing” in what has become a tantalising three-way FIA World Rally Championship title fight following a costly and frustrating end to Rally Chile BIOBÍO.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver looked poised to extend his championship lead in Chile heading into the final two rounds of the season before drama struck on the penultimate stage.
Evans made the most of wet conditions on Friday, briefly holding the rally lead before slipping to second behind eventual winner and Toyota team-mate Oliver Solberg. He headed into Stage 15 in a healthy second place and topped the Super Sunday standings, only to be forced to stop and change a damaged front-left tyre.
The delay dropped the Welshman to fifth, one place behind main title rival Sami Pajari.
Although frustrated by the tyre failure, Evans produced a gutsy drive to finish second on the Power Stage and collect four extra points. However, his championship lead was reduced to 17 points over Pajari, while Chile winner Solberg moved firmly into contention and now sits just 21 points adrift.
“It was all going well and it was going to plan, and I felt pretty good in the car and out of nowhere I felt something go on the front left. Normally we have TPMS [tyre pressure warning system] but it happened to be picking up the spare [wheel] actually on that corner. We didn’t get any warning and then there was a bit of doubt, but clearly again it was a puncture and I have no idea where,” said Evans.
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“It feels a bit harsh at the moment. Some others got punctures but in a lucky place, just a kilometre from the end of the second stage, so the time loss was minimal. That is how it is. Today things were going pretty well but sometimes it doesn’t go your way.
“There is no silver lining, definitely not. But I think it was a decent performance up until today, it was a solid drive and we were doing everything we needed to do. The feeling was good in the car but to get a puncture like that with no indication is very frustrating.”
Now facing a three-way title fight with just 21 points separating the contenders, Evans says the objective for the remaining two rounds is clear.
“It was very costly in terms of points but we took what we could from the Power Stage and we just have to keep pushing in what’s now a three-way fight in the championship,” added Evans.
“It was a great performance from Oliver and they have had a really strong weekend, and they are very much in the mix as well, but we are still in an okay position and we will continue to fight on.”
While Evans was frustrated to miss out on the podium, he was quick to pay tribute to his Toyota team after it secured a record-equalling 10th WRC manufacturers’ title.
“I think it is a massive reward for everyone who is working to give us these great cars and I think it shows the strength of the team that we managed to do it with two rounds to spare. A huge thank you to everyone in the team,” he said.
