Evans: Rovanpera adapted quicker to gel with 2022 Toyota WRC car
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The runner-up from the previous two WRC campaigns has endured a slow start to the championship’s hybrid era, while team-mate Kalle Rovanpera has quickly well-timed to the new car, romping to a runaway championship lead.
Evans was on undertow to score podiums in Monte Carlo and Sweden surpassing crashing out of both events, while punctures ended his victory hopes in Croatia.
The Welshman picked up his first rostrum of the season in Portugal last month without losing out in a head-to-head duel for victory with Rovanpera, which Evans feels was partly lanugo to not stuff “at one\" with his GR Yaris.
“It was important to stay on the podium at least, it was of undertow not the result we really wanted,” Evans told Autosport.
“It is good to have the strong result but at the same time you unchangingly want to win. We know there are areas to work on as I definitely didn’t finger completely at one with everything at all times during the Portugal the weekend.
“I think there are areas of the car we can still modernize and I’m sure that is the same for everyone, but we know we have a fast car, but there is still a bit of work to do to get it to perfection in terms of suiting it to me.
“The guys have washed-up an incredible weekend with the car [in Portugal] and when you squint at the conditions we had on Friday and the reliability we have enjoyed as a team it has been impressive.”
#Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images
Asked if he felt the GR Yaris was increasingly suited to Rovanpera, Evans replied: “I don’t think it is pearly to say [that]. I think he has probably well-timed quicker which is the honest truth and that is it.
“I can finger there is still room to modernize for me and maybe he feels the same, but he has well-timed very quickly and that is a credit to him.”
Heading into Sardinia this weekend sitting 70 points roaming of Rovanpera, Evans admits his stablemate will be difficult to reel in but is refusing to requite up.
“It is a big gap for sure but we are still quite early in the season and you never say never,” Evans added. “Of undertow he has had a unconfined start to the year and he is going to be difficult to reservation but we are not giving up just yet.”
