WRC Rally Belgium
Evans explains unfortunate error that triggered Ypres Rally penalty
Elfyn Evans says an unfortunate co-driver error triggered a penalty which compounded a challenging afternoon that saw the Toyota driver lose the Ypres Rally Belgium lead.
Tom Howard
Edited: Aug 20, 2022, 10:11 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Evans inherited the rally lead on Stage 2 after team-mate and World Rally Championship leader Kalle Rovanpera crashed out in spectacular fashion.
The Welshman held the advantage until midway through the afternoon when his rally began to unravel, beginning with a slow puncture on Stage 6.
Evans had gambled on taking a mixture of wet and slick compound tyres for the loop but the anticipated rain failed to materialise which forced him to replace his puncture tyre with a wet.
As a result, he ended the day running three different compounds, which dropped him behind the Hyundai duo of Thierry Neuville and Ott Tanak.
However, Evans ended the day 13.7s adrift after being slapped with a 10s penalty for checking into the days final stage a minute late, which he put down to a rare error from his co-driver Scott Martin.
“Overall, not a bad day but the end of the afternoon was a bit difficult," said Evans. "We had a slow puncture coming off the end of the second stage, some sharp rock slit a tyre so we were a bit unlucky there.
“We then had to use the rain tyre for the last two stages and the feeling was not so good then. It was a bit of a struggle to finish off the day.”
Elfyn Evans, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Toyota Racing
When asked about the time penalty, he added: “Let’s say there was a small co-driver equipment malfunction and it is an unfortunate error, but one in four years is not so bad.”
Looking ahead to Saturday’s eight stages, Evans remains confident that there is still chance to reel in leader Neuville and second placed Tanak.
“There is a long way to go and there is a big day tomorrow we have to continue to learn and enjoy the stages,” he said.
Evans is the leading Toyota runner ahead of Esapekka Lappi, who ended Friday in fourth spot, 37.3s adrift of leader Neuville.
Takamoto Katsuta brought his GR Yaris back to the Ypres service park in 18th overall after losing more than four minutes to a gearbox problem during Friday’s morning loop.
Read Also:
- WRC Belgium: Neuville heads Hyundai 1-2 as penalty costs Evans
- Optimistic pace note caused Rovanpera's Ypres Rally retirement
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article WRC Belgium: Neuville heads Hyundai 1-2 as penalty costs Evans
Next article WRC Belgium: Officials red flag stage after Breen roll
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Tom Howard
M-Sport’s 2027 WRC Fiesta Kit car breaks cover
WRC
WRC
M-Sport’s 2027 WRC Fiesta Kit car breaks cover
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
WRC
WRC
Adrien Fourmaux confident of WRC drive despite 2027 uncertainty
Latest news
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 5 h
Max Verstappen on GTWC Europe debut: “We’re here to win”
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
5 h
How to watch NASCAR at Phoenix II: Weekend schedule, start time, entry list, TV
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
5 h
Ryan Ellis signs multi-year NASCAR O'Reilly deal with Alpha Prime Racing
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
12 h
Ayao Komatsu: Rafael Camara chosen for F1 2027 seat on speed, not Ferrari links
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe