By Paul Evans
Elfyn Evans has reduced the deficit at the top of the FIA World Rally Championship drivers’ standings from 55 to 25 points after winning Rally Finland.
The Dolgellau ace seized his chance when arch rival and Toyota team-mate Kalle Rovanperä crash out – winning the event outright and also taking maximum bonus points for setting the fastest time on the closing Power Stage.
Evans also becomes only the third driver from outside Finland to win the event on multiple occasions as he and co-driver Scott Martin repeated their 2021 triumph.
⚠️ BREAKING NEWS ⚠️
ELFYN EVANS WINS RALLY FINLAND 2023!
This is the Welshman’s second victory on the event.
🇫🇮 @ElfynEvans | @RallyFinland | @TGR_WRC | @OfficialWRC | @scottmartinat | @fia | @pirellisport | #Rally1 | #WRC | #SectoRallyFinland | #EE33 pic.twitter.com/8kUk0pli4b
— Rallying UK 🌐 (@RallyingUK) August 6, 2023
Evans looked at home in his GR Yaris Rally1 Hybrid all weekend, matching local hero Rovanperä’s pace on Friday until the Finn rolled.
Having taken over the lead, Evans was then on fine form on Saturday, winning seven consecutive stages to build an advantage of over 30 seconds ahead of the final day.
He then won three of Sunday’s last four stages to secure his 17th career victory by 39.1 seconds.
🏆 Elfyn Evans wins his second ever #RallyFinland to put pressure on the #WRC points leader https://t.co/ZP6cGvstCg
— DirtFish (@DirtFishRally) August 6, 2023
Second in the championship standings, Evans’ maximum score means that he is now 25 points behind leader Rovanperä with four rallies remaining.
“It’s been a great weekend for us and it feels pretty special to win this rally for the second time,” said Evans.
“It’s one of my favourites and a home rally for the team with the factory being based in Jyväskylä.
“It’s been fantastic to drive this car on these roads and it’s been a joy to be behind the wheel.
“We had a really nice feeling almost from the beginning.
“We were sorry to lose Kalle [Rovanperä] from the fight on Friday but then we could make a few little steps with the setup for Saturday which really boosted my confidence.
“Things really clicked and the stage times came naturally.
It’s a positive weekend in terms of the championship as well and we’re now a bit closer to Kalle than we were before.”
✅ Elfyn Evans
❌ Kalle RovanperäWho were your winners + losers from #WRC #RallyFinland?https://t.co/tkOsHjgepf
— DirtFish (@DirtFishRally) August 6, 2023