The outsider Evans kept the highly rated Hyundai works drivers Ott Tänak from Estonia and Craig Breen from Ireland in check. “I can’t believe it. I didn’t think a win in Finland was possible, ”said Evans, astonished at his performance.
He is now one of the illustrious circle of only 13 foreigners, from whom the Finns have had their butter taken off their bread in 70 home games so far.
Elfyn Evans, 32 year old Toyota factory driver from Dolgellau in Wales
Evans took the lead on the morning of the second of three stages with a series of personal bests. “I give 100 percent. But somehow Elfyn is always a bit faster, ”Breen wondered. The Hyundai temporary driver, a specialist in gravel special stages with average speeds in some cases over 120 km / h, had up until then just held the top ahead of teammate Ott Tänak. On Saturday evening, only the Estonian was within striking distance of leader Evans. The 2019 world champion was 9.1 seconds short at this point.
But the Toyota driver did not allow himself to be disrupted. He even dared the attack on the final “power stage”, which was risky in view of his tight lead. With another best time, he secured the associated five extra points.
“To be honest, I have no idea why it is,” puzzled Ogier. The defending champion did not win a single special stage. In addition, the 37-year-old received a penalty minute because he once did not put his helmet on correctly. However, rank five in the final result was not in danger. His lead over the British Ford driver Gus Greensmith was too big. With the yield of ten World Cup points, Ogier managed damage limitation.
Result Rally Finland
2. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), +14.1 seconds
3. Craig Breen / Paul Nagle (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), +42.2 seconds
4. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC), +58.8 seconds
5. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Toyota Yaris WRC) +2: 54.4 minutes
6. Gus Greensmith / Chris Patterson (Ford Fiesta WRC) +5: 02.3 minutesn
World Championship stand after 10 of 12 rallies
1. Sébastien Ogier (Toyota Yaris WRC), 190 points
2. Elfyn Evans (Toyota Yaris WRC), 166 points
3. Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), 130 points
4. Kalle Rovanperä (Toyota Yaris WRC), 129 points
5. Ott Tänak (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), 128 points
6. Craig Breen (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC), 76 points
