Evans identifies “main focus” for improvement in WRC 2025

Improving performance on rough gravel rallies is the main focus for Elfyn Evans in 2025 to enhance his chances of lifting a maiden World Rally Championship title.

The Toyota driver finished as the WRC title runner-up for a fourth time this season after a campaign that resulted in the Welshman scoring more second-place finishes in rallies than any of his rivals.

Evans emerged as a title rival to Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville before his championship challenge began to unravel after picking up only six points in Portugal before struggles for pace on Sardinia’s gravel roads.

A retirement in Greece followed by a crash in Finland effectively ended his title hopes before going on to climb back to second in the championship standings after winning the season finale in Japan.

Reflecting on his 2024, Evans believes there was “quite a bit missing” on rough gravel rallies this year, a factor he is desperate to resolve heading into 2025.

“At moments [this year] we were clearly the fastest but there were also moments where we were the slowest Rally1 car actually which we need to get to the bottom of that fully. It doesn’t really make sense,” Evans told Autosport.

“There were definitely some challenges and not really the overall performance you obviously aim for, but nonetheless there were some strong moments.

“I actually think there was quite a bit missing especially on the rougher gravel rallies and that was the biggest Achilles heel really, so that side of the job needs to improve quite a bit. That will be the main focus for next year.

“It has not been a great season from that side and I would say I have not had the feeling I had in previous years in terms of feeling happy behind the wheel. There are some things to figure out still but I think the end of the season has been quite positive after two difficult rallies in Finland and Greece especially. It should be all fine for next year.”

This year Evans faced more pressure on his shoulders to deliver points being one of two full-time drivers alongside Takamoto Katsuta as Toyota fielded part-time entries for Kalle Rovanpera and Sebastien Ogier.

Next season the team will expand its line-up to four full-time drivers with Rovanpera returning for a 14-round campaign alongside new signing and new WRC2 champion Sami Pajari.

When asked if this has eased the pressure on his shoulders given he was effectively the team leader last season, he added: “Obviously there is strength in numbers and I think it is a pretty strong line-up.

“I mean at the end of the day the two things go hand in hand. I want the points and the team wants the points and ultimately the better job you do for yourself, the team benefit and we have always gone with that mentality since 2020.

“The focus is on doing the best job you can and I don’t need to worry about anything else.”