Evans is currently tied for second place in the WRC standings with Hyundai’s Ott Tänak. However, the Toyota star hasn’t been at his best in recent rallies – to put it bluntly, the Welshman’s speed has been missing.
Among the leading drivers in the championship, Evans has scored the fewest points in the recent rallies in Portugal and Sardinia. Evans’ total from these two events was 24 points, while championship leader Thierry Neuville scored 36 points, Tänak 51 points, and fourth-placed Sebastien Ogier 47 points.
The season continues this weekend with the gravel rally in Poland. Fast rallies should suit Evans’ style, so a performance boost is expected from the Toyota driver. If not, Evans’ situation in the championship fight will look worrying.
“After a difficult couple of rallies for us, we’re definitely hoping to find better form on these faster rallies coming up. Even though they’re quite similar in character, they will each have their own challenges.”
The WRC last held a rally in Poland seven years ago. Evans has competed in Poland three times in his career.
“The overriding memory of Rally Poland from the past is that it’s a pretty fast rally: it will be definitely be a change of pace from the last event in Sardinia. It’s also a rally where the roads tended to deteriorate quite a lot, so the second pass can pose a challenge,” Evans reflects.
“There will be sections that we’ve driven in the past, but the pacenotes we have are quite old, so in that way it’s more like a new rally and probably quite a busy recce making fresh notes.”
Hyundai driver Neuville heads to the event around Mikolajki with an 18-point lead over Evans and Tänak. Evans might benefit slightly from starting last among the trio in Friday’s special stages.
Rally Poland kicks off on Thursday, with a shakedown in the morning and a spectator special stage in the evening.
