Welsh driver Elfyn Evans claimed a thrilling victory at Rally Sweden, cementing his position at the top of the World Rally Championship (WRC) standings. The event, held on 16 February 2025, saw Evans and co-driver Scott Martin dominate seven of the 18 stages in their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The final day of the rally was marked by intense competition between Evans and his Toyota teammate Takamoto Katsuta.

A Nail-biting Final Day

Evans entered the final day with a slim three-second lead over Katsuta. However, Katsuta managed to take the lead in Stage 16, pulling ahead by 4.5 seconds. Undeterred, Evans staged a remarkable comeback in the penultimate stage, reclaiming a 3.7-second advantage. The dramatic final powerstage saw Evans edge out Katsuta by a mere 0.1 seconds, securing his victory.

Evans Reflects on the Win

"I made life difficult on that first stage this morning," admitted Evans, who finished as runner-up in January’s Rallye Monte Carlo. "It focused the mind, got a good run on those last stages, and it's been a good fight," he added. The 36-year-old from Dolgellau, Wales, now leads the WRC standings with 61 points, 28 points clear of eight-time champion Sébastien Ogier, who did not compete in this round.

Other Notable Performances

Josh McErlean from Northern Ireland secured a ninth-place finish despite a challenging final day. McErlean, 25, got stuck in a snowbank, losing 49 minutes but remained optimistic. "Today was a bit frustrating, but we have to be happy with it," he said. McErlean’s performance in Sweden marked a significant improvement from Monte Carlo, proving his ability to match the pace of his more experienced teammates.

Looking Ahead

The WRC drivers now face a stark contrast in conditions as they leave behind the icy terrains of Scandinavia and head to the heat and dust of Safari Rally Kenya. Scheduled from 20-23 March, the third round of the 14-race calendar promises another exciting chapter in the 2025 WRC season.

Rally Sweden Results

1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 2 hours 33 minutes 39.2 seconds
2. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, +3.8 seconds
3. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, +11.9 seconds
4. Ott Tänak (Estonia), Hyundai, +16.8 seconds
5. Kalle Rovanperä (Finland), Toyota, +32.8 seconds

WRC Drivers' Standings (Provisional)

1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 61 points
2. Sébastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 33 points
3. Kalle Rovanperä (Finland), Toyota, 31 points
4. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 29 points
5. Ott Tänak (Estonia), Hyundai, 26 points

Evans’ victory in Sweden sets a strong precedent for the season ahead, and fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming challenges in Kenya.