Why winning in Finland was Evans' true WRC coming-of-age
By his own admission, the fifth World Rally Championship victory of Elfyn Evans' career in Finland last weekend was the drive of his life. Winning five stages in a row and soaking up huge pressure from the Hyundais on the fastest gravel stages around, the Welshman put in a faultless showing that proved what he is truly made of
In the past 70 years, only eight drivers born outside of Scandinavia have conquered Rally Finland. Such is the unique challenge the spiritual home of rallying presents, that it has traditionally favoured drivers who grew up driving its fast gravel stages. Until 1990, when Carlos Sainz broke through for Toyota, every single iteration of the rally had been won by either a Finn or a Swede.
Now, it's an exclusive club that also includes Welshman Elfyn Evans.
Evans' talents have been known for some time, having won Rally GB as long ago as 2017 - and only missing out on his maiden World Rally Championship win earlier that year in Argentina by 0.7 seconds. Upon moving to Toyota for 2020, he won on his second start in Sweden and led the standings into the final round at Monza, only to fall at the final hurdle in a duel with seven-time champion teammate Sebastien Ogier.
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