Toyota has had a very strong start to the season, with the team celebrating victory in all three events so far.
Toyota’s top name in the early part of the season has been Elfyn Evans, who has already taken two wins and one second place. Evans has accumulated 88 WRC points and leads the drivers’ championship by a clear margin of 36 points over Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville.
Evans’ performance has been close to perfection. The Welshman now perhaps has the best opportunity of his career to become world champion.
“I think it’s fair to say it’s a 10/10. Absolutely top-level driving. He’s more relaxed now than he has been in previous seasons. That calmness shows in his performance, and when he’s relaxed, he’s capable of winning. Now he’s got that grip and a good flow going,” Latvala praises his number one.
In Latvala’s view, Kalle Rovanperä has played a significant role in Evans’ career – both positively and negatively.
“When Elfyn has been the sole driver expected to take the title, that pressure may have been a bit too much for him. It has helped him that there’s now another driver alongside sharing the pressure. In previous seasons, a problem may have also been how strongly Kalle entered the scene. Elfyn perhaps didn’t expect just how strong Kalle would be. He ended up somewhat in Kalle’s shadow and didn’t immediately get to grips with the hybrid car,” Latvala says.
“Now, without the hybrid and with Hankook’s new tyre, things seem to be really working,” Latvala continues.
While it’s fair to say that Evans has shone in the early season, the same cannot be said for Rovanperä. The Finn finished fourth in the season-opening Rally Monte Carlo and was only fifth in Sweden. In Kenya, the Finn had to retire on the final day due to an electrical fault.
“Kalle’s early season has been challenging. He perhaps hasn’t quite reached his own level,” Latvala says plainly.
Latvala identifies several reasons for the Finn’s subdued performance.
“The car has changed now that the hybrid is gone, the tyres are new, and on top of everything, there were those technical issues in Kenya,” Latvala lists.
