Elfyn Evans says “some new ideas” are required after set-up struggles left the three-time World Rally Championship runner-up on the back foot in a weekend to forget in Portugal.
In the high-octane world of rally racing, Toyota’s team faced a weekend of woes, with driver Evans feeling like luck had left his side. The championship chase intensified as his trail to the top took a 24-point detour behind Hyundai’s frontrunner, Neuville.
The rally rumble began on the gravel battlegrounds, where Evans and his squad—Ogier, Rovanpera, and Katsuta—grappled with their GR Yaris Rally1 chariots, seeking harmony on the harsh terrain. Starting second, Evans soon saw his standings slip, a situation soured when co-driver Martin’s pacenote book went missing, leaving them to rely on a digital lifeline.
Despite the digital debacle, time wasn’t the thief; it was a treacherous tyre puncture that pilfered precious seconds, relegating Evans to a sixth-place Saturday. Sunday’s saga saw a radiator rupture, dashing any dreams of a points-packed finish.
Yet, hope hovers on the horizon as the rally road leads to Sardinia’s rugged routes (30 May – 2 June). Evans eyes a setup solution to sidestep the Portuguese pitfalls. “Six points may be scant solace, but they’re seeds for Sardinia’s success,” he shared with Motorsport.com, hinting at a possible pivot to past practices for the upcoming challenge.
Toyota’s tactical team, led by Latvala, remains resolute, having honed their skills on Sardinian soil in anticipation. Despite the testing trials, Latvala’s confidence in the cars’ comeback kindles a collective determination to dodge the dust and stay the course, for in this championship, every error is exacting.
