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Elfyn Evans Aims to Enhance Gravel Rally Performance for 2025 Title Bid
As Elfyn Evans prepares for the 2025 World Rally Championship season, his primary goal is to improve his performance on challenging gravel surfaces to increase his chances of clinching his first championship title.
This past season, the Toyota driver concluded his campaign as the WRC title runner-up for the fourth time. Despite recording more second-place finishes than his competitors, pivotal moments in the season contributed to a complicated title chase.
Initially, Evans was a strong contender, notably challenging Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville. However, his pursuit faltered after he scored just six points in Portugal, compounded by difficulties with pace on the rocky Sardinian roads.
His championship hopes came to a halt following a retirement in Greece and a crash in Finland, but he managed to regain momentum and ultimately secured a second-place finish in the championship standings after triumphing in the season finale in Japan.
Looking back on the 2024 season, Evans expressed that there were significant areas for improvement, particularly during rough gravel rallies. “At times, we demonstrated clear pace, yet there were instances where we lagged behind the competition,” he told Motorsport.com. “It’s crucial for us to dissect those inconsistencies as they impacted our overall performance.”
He noted that the rougher gravel rallies posed the biggest challenge, which he considers a notable weakness in his setup. “It’s clear that we need to enhance that aspect of our performance significantly as we approach next year,” he stated.
In terms of driving comfort, Evans admitted that this season did not feel as satisfying as in previous years. However, he was optimistic after finishing strong despite earlier setbacks in Finland and Greece. “While there are aspects to improve, I believe the end of the season provides a promising outlook as we head into 2025,” he added.
This year, Evans shouldered a greater burden of responsibility as one of two full-time drivers, alongside Takamoto Katsuta, while Toyota operated with part-time entries for Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier. Looking forward, the team plans to expand its roster to four full-time drivers next season, with Rovanpera returning for a full campaign and WRC2 champion Sami Pajari joining the team.
When asked whether the addition of new drivers alleviates the pressure on him, Evans acknowledged, “There’s undeniable strength in numbers. A more robust lineup inherently benefits the team.” He emphasized the interconnected nature of his performance with the team’s goals, stating, “The better I perform, the more points I deliver, which in turn benefits the team. This has always been our collaborative approach since 2020.”
Evans concluded by reiterating his focus on personal performance to contribute effectively to the team’s success in the upcoming season.
Source
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