The team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, backs Elfyn Evans's approach in Monte Carlo which was to drive safely to score valuable points for the championship.
The Welshman finished at the lowest place of the podium at Rallye Monte Carlo and scored 21 points (13, six and two points from Saturday, Sunday and Powerstage respectively). Evans was leading the season opener from Stage 1 to Stage 9, but he reported an issue with the hybrid unit in Stage 10 resulting in slipping behind Thierry Neuville for 0,9 seconds on the classification. In addition to that, Tom Fowler revealed that the mechanics had to change three hybrid units during Rallye Monte Carlo and eventually he lost one place from Sebastien Ogier doing the 2-3 for Toyota. Evans is in third place on the standings, just nine points behind the championship leader Thierry Neuville, and will start second at Rally Sweden.
"Making the points was the right decision", Evans said.
"You can remember what happened and how Elfyn felt when he went off the road in 2022.
"He wanted to take good points away from here and he did that – I know that’s what he wanted when he went off two years ago.
"He’s thinking about the championship and, for me, that’s what he needs to do.
"His car was working well on the clean road, but when the cuts were coming and the road was dirtier, he couldn’t get the same feeling.
"He backed off and took the points.
"This way he goes to Sweden with a good feeling.
"Okay, the road position can still be tricky in Sweden, but it’s easier to go to round two with points on the board".
Source: wrc.com
Photo Credits: Toyota
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