A new scoring system was introduced in the premier class of the World Rally Championship at the season-opening Rally Monte-Carlo. The first conditional points are awarded on Saturday evening based on the competition’s status. In addition, separate daily points are distributed on Sunday, along with additional points from the Power Stage.
Evans finished third in Monte Carlo, earning 21 points for the weekend. Under the old points system, he would have received four points less.
The peculiar aspect of the system is that no points are awarded based on the final results.
“It’s a joke. It just devalues the value of a win. And that’s the biggest thing for me,” Evans blasted before the start of Rally Sweden.
The season continues with the Swedish round, which began on Thursday evening with a super special stage. Evans prepared for the event by driving Toyota’s Rally1 car in the Arctic Rally two weeks prior and also tested the vehicle for one more day at the team’s testing area in Central Finland.
“It’s certain that we made a few more steps. So we have something I feel is a bit better than last year, at least. Still, I struggle to feel fully comfortable,” Evans explained.
His situation is not made any easier by the fact that he will be the second car on the road for Friday’s stages. The starting position is not optimal as the road clears of loose snow after each car. For example, Kalle Rovanperä and Esapekka Lappi, starting their season in Sweden, will benefit from a cleaner road as they start at the back of the Rally1 pack.
Victory is not on Evans’s mind. He is focused on his main rivals in the championship, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak.
“I think the key is to try and be in front of the two guys around us. The title is obviously the biggest goal, but let’s see.”
