The Toyota rally team led by Jari-Matti Latvala was victorious in Croatia, when Elfyn Evans returned to the top flight after a year and a half.
Elfyn Evans celebrated his victory in Rally Croatia. PDO
The victory celebration was dimmed by the tragic fate of Hyundai driver Craig Breen last week in the preparatory tests for the asphalt race.
According to Jari-Matti Latvala, Elfyn Evans was the right man to celebrate in Croatia. Evans was a good friend of Breen and the Welshman’s current partner Scott Martin drove for several years together in the World Championship with Breen.
– We achieved the two most important things from the weekend. First of all, the race was completed safely, and no drama or accidents were seen. This wouldn’t have taken anymore. Another thing is that I think the right pair won the competition, Latvala told Iltalehte.
– I don’t think about it so much in terms of Toyota, but Scott and Breen once took their first podium together. Elfyn has also been a good friend of Breen.
Preparing for the competition was not easy for any driver or karter. Just before the start of the race, Evans and Martin had time to visit Breen’s family in Ireland.
– From that point of view, this was a deserved victory for them. They also drove well. At the finish, you could clearly see from Elfyn’s shoulders that a big burden fell off his shoulders. It’s hard to celebrate this victory now, but this was certainly important for Elfyn, Latvala felt.
– In the manufacturers’ series, the scores were pretty even. That’s a nice thing, although I’m sure no one here thought of them.
The story continues after the picture.
Jari-Matti Latvala was happy with the victory of the rally. PDO
Rovanperä rose
Toyota’s Finnish star Kalle Rovanperä was left fourth in Croatia.
Rovanperä defeated his teammate Sébastien Ogier on the final day. Both suffered a flat tire on Friday, which ate away at the winning battle. Ogier later also received a one-minute time penalty for starting off too hastily after a tire change, and the seat belts were not tightened properly.
However, Rovanperä and Ogier were undeniably the fastest drivers of the race, even though the positions remained low. Rovanperä drove six and Ogier seven bottom times during the weekend. Rovanperä was the fastest driver of the rally both on Saturday and Sunday.
– Kalle had a good pace at the end of the race. He was able to increase his speed during the race, it was really good to see. Sebastien would have been on a winning streak, but the mood might have dropped a bit when he got a one-minute time penalty. It took the last spark to squeeze harder. He drove smartly and brought us points, Latvala summed up.
The points situation in the World Series after four races is tickling. Toyota drivers Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans are one point ahead of Rovanperä. M-Sport Ford’s Ott Tänak is only four points behind the leader and Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville by 11 points.
– It hasn’t been this tight for many years with several drivers. In that sense, the series is on a great model, Latvala beamed.