Elfyn Evans: WRC points lead “guarantees absolutely nothing”

Elfyn Evans is refusing to get carried away by the 13-point lead he holds in his quest for a maiden World Rally Championship title with only two rounds of the season remaining.

The Toyota driver is bidding to become the first British WRC champion since Richard Burns in 2001 and has so far finished runner-up in the title race four times, but is currently sitting top of the standings as the season heads towards its climax.

Evans regained the WRC points lead for a third time this season after finishing second at last weekend's Central European Rally, which elevated the Welshman into a 13-point advantage ahead of Toyota team-mates Sebastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanpera.

The title race is likely to go down to the wire culminating in next month’s visit to Japan followed by the all-new Rally Saudi Arabia season finale.

While pleased to return to the forefront of the title race, Evans is expecting a wide open fight until the end.

Podium: Winners Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, second place Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, third place Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“From my side, it [the title race] is very open,” Evans told Motorsport.com. “There are so many points available on each rally, and we know how quickly things change in this sport. It is still going to be a very tough fight until the end. It is all very close between all three of us still, but it keeps it exciting.

“It has moved in the right direction at least, but I have been in this game long enough and have been in this position plenty of times before to know that it guarantees absolutely nothing. It is very open and it is going to be exciting until the end of the year. I have to just enjoy the fight and that is it.

“I just have to not expect anything from it. That is the bottom line. I will just go into these last two rallies and give my absolute best and that is all.”

Evans' hopes of leaving the Central European Rally with such a points lead were looking bleak heading into the final day after falling 8.4s behind Hyundai’s Ott Tanak.

However, an inspired drive through Sunday’s three stages resulted in Evans snatching second position from Tanak on the final stage, while claiming eight from a possible 10 Super Sunday points.

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WRCKalle Rovanpera even hungrier for third WRC title after Central Europe win

“I wasn’t heading into Sunday full of confidence as Saturday was a tough day for me and especially the afternoon it was getting worse not better. To bring everything back and really focus just on driving well and not pushing too hard - that seemed to work much better in the end,” Evans added.

“It is a huge swing from where we were on Saturday. Obviously, I’m very happy to turn that around. The points will be very important and I’m happy to bag them.

“We decided to change some things that helped the feeling in the car a bit. A couple of things came together, and we also know in this sport that a few little tweaks here and there can make a big difference in the end. The details matter.”

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