Welsh rally star Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin have won Rally Sweden, delivering Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team its first success of the 2020 World Rally Championship season.
Having impressed in his Yaris WRC on the season-opening Rallye Monte-Carlo last month, 31-year-old Evans went even better in Sweden. He led from the start on Friday and controlled the rally all the way, eventually winning by 12.7 seconds.
It was his second WRC victory, adding to his success on Wales Rally GB in 2017, and co-driver Martin’s first at this level of rallying. With two of the 13 scheduled rounds completed, Evans leads the drivers’ points standings for the first time in his career.
Read more Exclusive Q&A with Elfyn Evans
“A fantastic result after a great weekend,” said a jubilant Evans. “The team have been great, gave us what we needed and it’s a pleasure working with them. Really pleased for Scott on his first win – great job by everyone this weekend.”
In a strong rally for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, 19-year-old rookie Kalle Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen claimed third and also won the Power Stage at the end of the rally. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia finished fourth.
Takamoto Katsuta/Daniel Barritt finished ninth as the Japanese driver continued his learning via the Toyota Gazoo Racing WRC Challenge Program, supported by his British navigator.
Former factory driver Jari-Matti Latvala contested Rally Sweden in a privately entered Yaris WRC, but he and co-driver Juho Hänninen were forced to retire at the end of the first day due to a technical issue.
Meanwhile, the new rally-inspired Toyota GR Yaris road car served as one of the course cars on the Swedish stages.
Round three of the 2020 WRC is Rally Guanajuato Mexico, scheduled for 12-15 March.
