Evans’ WRC2 season at an apparent end as rest of world campaign uncertain
Elfyn Evans has contested the final event of his planned World Rally Championship programme this season – and his WRC2 title tilt could be at an end.
The Welshman retained his lead in the WRC2 standings, but Teemu Suninen’s second position has played him into pole position for the championship. The Skoda-driving Finn has started one round less than Evans, which means he still has two scoring opportunities compared to Evans’ one – and he’s just two points behind Evans.
“If Teemu picks up another win, it becomes very difficult,” said Evans. “I don’t know. We need to take a look and then think about an event later in the season. But for now, this is the last scheduled rally. I’m not saying it’s the last rally we’re doing, but it’s the last one we knew we were doing. It’s back to the [family car] dealership on Monday.”
At the top of the season, M-sport team principal Malcolm Wilson said he wanted Evans back in a World Rally Car this year. Germany was one of the target events, but a clash with the Ulster Rally and Evans’ BRC commitments has spoiled that.
Staying with the DMACK World Rally Team and driving a Ford Fiesta RS WRC with the British tyres is possible for Rally GB.
“I haven’t talked to anybody about that,” said Evans, “but that would be great. Any opportunity for me to get back to the top flight is what I’m aiming for.”
M-sport’s client liaison manager Rich Millener admitted Finland might have been Evans’ last outing for the season.
“We have to wait and see how the [WRC2] results play out before a final decision,” said Millener. “It would have been good for him to go to China for the experience, but we’re now at a point in the season where those sort of decisions need to be taken with next year in mind. If Elfyn’s staying [at M-sport] it makes no sense for him to be on the bench for the rest of the season.”