Elfyn Evans believes he needs to be more ruthless in the World Rally Championship next year after missing out on the 2025 title to Sebastien Ogier.
Evans finished runner-up in the WRC title race for a fifth time in his career after falling four points shy of Toyota team-mate Ogier, who sealed a record-equalling ninth world title at the Rally Saudi Arabia season finale.
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The Welshman headed into the season finale three points ahead of Ogier having topped the championship standings after 10 of the 14 events this season.
Evans struggled in brutal conditions in Saudi Arabia having been hampered by a road cleaning effect that was far greater than expected. The Toyota driver ultimately finished the event in sixth while Ogier sealed the title having snatched third after a chaotic final day.
Reflecting on finishing runner-up to Ogier, Evans doesn’t feel the championship was lost in Saudi Arabia.
“Of course, I wasn’t fast enough on some of the dry gravel rallies in the middle of the year. Here in Saudi Arabia I don’t think it made any difference because the road position was playing such a huge part,” said Evans.
“Yes, we could have been 10 or 20 seconds closer at some point in the rally but in the end it wouldn’t have changed the outcome. I feel maybe some difference could have been made earlier in the year. I don’t blame this rally for the outcome.”
Sebastien Ogier, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Elfyn Evans, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Toyota Racing
Evans made a blistering start to 2025, scoring four consecutive podiums including wins in Sweden and Kenya that helped him into record points lead after three events. However, opening the road in the summer gravel rallies proved difficult before bouncing back with four second-place finishes.
Consistency was Evans’ strength as he finished every rally inside the top six - the only driver to do so this year. But in the crunch battles with Ogier he came up short, beating the Frenchman - contesting a part-time campaign - only once at the Central European Rally where Ogier crashed out.
“There was a four-point swing in Japan and a four-point swing in Chile, which were rallies we did pretty well on, but then there was Greece, Portugal and Sardinia where we really struggled,” added Evans.
“Even if there wasn’t a lot more possible with the road position I think the Super Sunday had a huge influence and I wasn’t able to bounce back there. There are always a few handful of points, we could have done differently.
“We lost by four points and I’m sure you can find four points earlier in the year. It is not easy as I would have done it.”
Evans says he has no bitterness regarding the fact Ogier was afforded better road position at times this year due to his partial campaign, but does feel he needs to be more ruthless in the future and take more risks.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
“I think if you start three rallies less then you have already kissed away almost 100 points voluntarily. But, having said that, committing to a part season and then changing your mind halfway through, there are rallies like Monte where I would have not taken the extra risk to beat him knowing he wasn’t doing the championship. There are things like that I need to review for the future,” Evans said.
“You have to take the points when you can but I would have fought a bit harder in Monte and taken a few more risks, and also in the Canary Islands for example. There was a swing of points there that I maybe didn’t push enough, Kalle [Rovanpera] was away in the distance and Seb was just ahead.”
When asked if he needs to be more ruthless in 2026, he added: “Yes possibly, but when I have, I will tell you I should be how I was the year before [taking fewer risks].”
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