The Welshman did finish second in the championship standings, but it was undoubtedly a disappointment for him, as he had been aiming for his first World Championship title. Evans delivered a consistent season, but the setbacks in the Rally Finland and Rally Greece early in the autumn cost him the championship.
The silver in the World Championship was already the fourth of Evans’s career. This year, the title fight will be even tougher, as Evans’s teammate Kalle Rovanperä is once again competing in a full season.
“Start of a new year again. And like always, expectation is to try and do our best to win. The team is looking strong for this year with five drivers or four full time drivers, plus Seb coming obviously for some rallies as well. So I think we have a pretty strong line-up as a team,” Evans says.
The new season kicks off in just a couple of weeks with the legendary Rally Monte Carlo. There’s much to look forward to, as the tyre supplier has changed, and there have also been modifications to the cars’ technology. For instance, the hybrid unit familiar from recent years has been removed.
“Of course, we know the introduction of Hankook for 2025 and of course some technical regulations as well mean that we’ll probably have a bit of adaptation to do on all surfaces and a bit of learning to do with the new tyre, but it’s the same for everyone,” Evans summarizes.
“And of course we need to do the best job we can to be as ready as we can, and I think if we do that well at the start of the season.”
Evans’s own preparations did not get off to the best possible start, as the Welshman went off the road during his test for Rally Monte Carlo.
Read more: Toyota rally star crashes during testing
The off-road incident is unlikely to significantly undermine the man’s confidence, though it may plant a small seed of doubt regarding the new tyres. Evans emphasises that Rally Monte Carlo is already challenging enough as it is.
“For Monte Carlo we have the biggest choice of tyres available. And of course, with very limited testing we have nowadays, it’s very difficult to try those tyres in all the different conditions. So we’ve got quite rainy, wet conditions here today, so at least we’ll have that experience. But of course it’s, it’s hard to get the full picture just in one day,” Evans tells.
“Adapting to the conditions is basically the key making the right tyre calls at the right time and of course staying out of trouble. We know how difficult it is and how easy it is to make even a small mistake that can completely ruin your weekend. So easier said than done. But of course we still have to go there and give it our best.”
Rally Monte Carlo will take place from 23rd to 26th January.
