The World Rally Championship’s new points system has faced scrutiny even before the season began. The revised system allows for the possibility that the event’s overall winner might not end up with the weekend’s biggest points haul.
This scenario unfolded for the first time in Sweden. Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi dominated throughout the weekend, yet Toyota’s runner-up Elfyn Evans ended up with more points.
Lappi’s total, 19 points, was composed of his first-place position on Saturday evening (18 points) and a seventh-place finish in Sunday’s special stages (1 point).
Conversely, Evans ranked third on Saturday night (13 points), was the top performer of Sunday’s driving day (7 points), and secured second place in the Power Stage (4 points), totalling 24 points.
While the points were welcome for Evans, who is vying for this season’s championship, the Toyota star remains critical of the new system.
“I still don’t think it’s right. EP’s won today and he has a load less points than I do. Whatever the circumstances, I don’t think that’s right,” Evans remarked to DirtFish.
“So even though I’ve come out all right with the new points system, I’m still not an advocate for it.”
Evans had already voiced strong criticism of the overhaul before Rally Sweden.
“It’s a joke. It just devalues the value of a win. And that’s the biggest thing for me,” Evans blasted on Thursday.
Check out the complete World Rally Championship standings here.
