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Why the WRC points leader is expecting a 'tough' ride in Sardinia
World Rally Championship leader Elfyn Evans is braced for a “tough ride” in Sardinia as the effects of his stunning start to the season will hit home this weekend.
The Toyota driver has led the championship standings since Rally Sweden in February, and as points leader Evans has to start the each rally as the first car on the road. On asphalt events its an advantage as road become dirtier with each car passing through them, but on gravel it is the exact opposite as Evans is forced to sweep away the loose gravel offering much cleaner and faster conditions to his rivals.
The Welshman has already experienced the effects of the road cleaning last month in Portugal, where he struggled to sixth after battling handling issues with his GR Yaris.
However, the disadvantage of starting first on the road is likely to be felt even harder on Sardinia’s challenging loose gravel stages when the first of 16 stages begin on Friday.
“It is fairly typical Sardinia, there are sections that are rough and sections that are nice, but like always there will be cleaning, so nothing new really. It is always bad here but it is about the normal situation here,” said Evans.
“We have to see how the rally plays out. We know we are in for a tough ride on Friday, but we still have to give it the best and assess from there.”
Evans could, however, be helped by the fact Toyota has analysed his handling struggles from Portugal, resulting in set up changes to his car this weekend.
“There have been some bits done [to the car] and let’s wait and see see how it plays out. We have definitely played with a few things to try and gamble to help the car turn a bit better. Let’s see how it is,” Evans added.
Evans can take solace from the fact his nearest title rival team-mate Kalle Rovanpera will also suffer the effects of road cleaning starting as the second car on the road.
The Finn, 30 points behind Evans in the championship, has also openly admitted that Sardinia is not one of his strongest of rallies with his career best result at the rally being a run to third in 2023.
“It is just the style of the roads and the gravel, they don’t suit my natural way of driving, and it is not a way of driving that is so comfortable for me,” said Rovanpera.
“I have never really felt at home here. This is one of the more tricker ones for me.
“Before the event you never want to see it like [a damage limitation rally] that but it can well be. This is the kind of event where I will just have a clean run and try and stay in the fight and score some good points.”
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