With four rounds remaining, four second-places and a top-three position in the Drivers’ Championship standings would be considered a solid return for most drivers. Then again, most drivers are not a perfectionist in the mould of Elfyn Evans.
The Welshman is continuing to try and find the same rhythm he experienced with his Yaris in the final two years of the World Rally Car era, when he finished second in the championship on both occasions.
“It wasn’t quite the same feeling from last year’s car,” said Evans following Ypres. “I have definitely felt more comfortable with the car.”
At last month’s Secto Rally Finland, Evans admitted he was still struggling to gel with the new generation GR Yaris Rally1. Having dominated the previous season’s Jyväskylä event, he struggled to find the ultimate pace this time around.
“It wasn’t quite the same feeling from last year’s car,” said Evans. “The confidence wasn’t quite the same, but it was good in Ypres. Like I said, the feeling was there and I was comfortable with the car.”
Evans’ result moves him back up to third in the championship with four rounds remaining.
However, Evans does suggest that his work at coming to terms with the car is moving in the right direction.
“[Ypres] was a bit frustrating on one hand, but on the other it was a strong weekend for us.
“The car has been good, and it was nice to be in the fight from the beginning of the rally. We made some good steps for the final day with the set-up and I feel really comfortable with where we’ve ended up at the end of the rally.”
Evans will next be in action at next month's EKO Acropolis Rally Greece (8 - 11 September).
Finland
Italy
Hungary