Elfyn Evans claimed his first World Rally Championship victory with the Toyota Gazoo World Rally Team on Sunday, dominating Rally Sweden in what was just his second event in the Toyota Yaris WRC.
It was also a first win for the new partnership of Welshman Evans and his English co-driver, Scott Martin, and the first Rally Sweden victory for a British driver.
The next WRC round is Rally Mexico, taking place from 12 to 15 March. It features rough gravel roads and temperatures typically around 30°C. The high altitude is a major factor, with the rally route peaking at 2,737m above sea level, starving engines of air and reducing the cars’ power by as much as 20 per cent.
Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team opened their 2020 account with a double podium result in Monte Carlo. Their all-new driver line-up was immediately on the pace on the opening round of the new season, finishing the event on Sunday with a brace of podium places.
Six-time world championship winner, Sébastien Ogier and Welshman Elfyn Evans finished second and third respectively after strong performances on their debuts with the Toyota Yaris WRC, even though they ultimately missed out on victory in a three-way final-day fight. Rookie driver Kalle Rovanperä rounded out a positive weekend for the team with a fine fifth place on his first appearance at rallying’s highest level.
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Tarmac
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Led by four-time world champion, Tommi Mäkinen, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team is primed and ready to push the limits in 2020.
From left to right: Sporting Director, Kaj Lindström; Co-Driver, Julien Ingrassia; Co-Driver, Scott Martin; Co-Driver, Jonne Halttunen; Driver, Kalle Rovanperä; Driver, Elfyn Evans; Driver, Sébastien Ogier; Team Principal, Tommi Mäkinen.
Modified: 13 March 2020
Information correct at time of publication.
