Toyota’s Elfyn Evans leads Rally Monte Carlo – acknowledges one fact

Toyota holds a double lead at Rally Monte Carlo as the teams head into the night break.
Elfyn Evans
Elfyn Evans. Photo by: Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT
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Evans didn’t manage to perform at his best on Friday, as teammate Sebastien Ogier managed to close the gap to almost nothing during the day and early evening.

As the rally resumes on Saturday, Evans leads by just a 4.5-second margin over Ogier.

“I’m quite satisfied. No problems or mistakes throughout the day, so in that sense, I have to be happy,” Evans summarized his day.

“We’ve just focused on our own thing and didn’t want to look at the times of the two guys behind us. Everything is fine in that regard, but I must admit that today we weren’t the fastest,” he acknowledged.

Evans emphasized that in Monte Carlo, one must take a measured and calm approach.

“After all, Rally Monte Carlo is such a event where you have to leave a bit in reserve. With these conditions, you can’t take all the risks. I’d rather make it to the finish. The pace is still fast, and anything can happen. Of course, we take risks too, but we try to manage them at the same time,” Evans said.

Evans and Ogier are battling for the win in this traditional contest. Of course, Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville also has a say. However, a mistake on the evening’s last stage cost the Belgian crucial seconds due to a spin. Naturally, Evans has in mind that he needs to beat his teammate Ogier.

“Of course, that’s on my mind. The plan is clear. I’m just trying to focus on my own job. I don’t want to take unnecessary risks just to beat him,” he outlined.

The Rally Monte Carlo continues Saturday with six special stages. The competition concludes on Sunday.

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