Time to focus on future for Evans

Difficult as it might be, it’s time to forget what’s gone on in the past and focus on what lies ahead for Elfyn Evans.

His position at M-sport is a really tricky one. But the key factor to remember is that he still has a position in the World Rally Championship. Granted, it’s not as strong as it once was, but it’s a base to work from.

And Monte Carlo’s a good place to start. There’s nobody on the WRC2 entry list that should scare Evans – he’s got the measure of all of them. The one he wants to keep an eye on is Esapekka Lappi. The Monte’s a great opportunity for Evans to put the chosen one to the sword.

Granted, Lappi’s only done the event once compared to Evans’ two starts, but nobody would deny the Finn’s greater knowledge of his Skoda Fabia R5.

That said, Evans’ speed and ability in the original Fiesta R5 was beyond question. He won WRC2 on his final world championship outing in one of those cars and the commercial impact of his sixth overall on the 2013 Rally Germany – when the R5 car was only two rallies old – was huge. And much appreciated at M-sport.

Now’s not the time for apportioning blame, the full-time Fiesta RS WRC drive has gone. For now.

Elfyn, it’s time to get your head down, forget the stories about the Frenchman who might or might not have bought your seat, and nail this next chapter.

Get this one right and you’ll come out a stronger, more complete and more attractive driver than ever before.

Get this one right and you’ll be back in the game just in time for the driver market to start favouring the drivers rather than team principals.