Elfyn Evans Admits Caution Cost Him in World Title Bid

Evans, who arrived in Jeddah with a narrow three-point cushion over Toyota team-mate Sébastien Ogier, ended Thursday’s first day facing a significant deficit. 

Ninth overall and almost 90 seconds off rally leader Adrien Fourmaux, he trails Ogier by 41.1 seconds and sits two places behind the Frenchman in the standings. 

With bonus points likely to decide the championship on Saturday, the early damage leaves the 36-year-old with a steep climb to become only the third Briton to win the WRC crown.

READ MORE: Elfyn Evans Goes For World Title Glory But Desert Shoot-Out is a Trip Into the Unknown

The championship leader had to contend with heavy road-cleaning duties on the loose gravel, but conceded the bulk of his frustration came from his opening-stage approach. 

“It’s been a tough day out there,” revealed Evans. 

“This morning I was too conservative on the first stage and a bit disappointed to give away so much time,.

“After that, the cleaning effect was more dramatic on the next two stages, and it felt like my pace wasn’t so bad compared to Seb just behind.

“It’s tough to know how well you’re driving when the road is evolving so fast. 

“But we’re still here and tomorrow we have a longer loop of stages where staying out of trouble will probably be quite tough, but I’ll just stay focused on my own driving.”

Ogier, bidding for a record-equalling ninth world title, capitalised on the conditions and tightened his grip on the championship battle. 

Though not fighting for the overall rally lead, the 41-year-old delivered a composed, controlled performance, ending the day seventh and later sealing the final stage win of the leg.

“You can’t see it on the classification, but we’ve been doing a pretty good job today,” Ogier said. 

“My main target anyway is Elfyn and Kalle, and on that side we have done what we had to do – we are in front of them.”

Kalle Rovanperä, the third title contender, also endured a bruising day. 

READ MORE: Elfyn Evans Still Calm But World Title Bid Will go Right to the Wire

The Finn was initially ahead of Ogier before tyre damage cost him around 40 seconds, dropping him behind both rivals before he recovered eighth place on the final gravel stage. 

With a 24-point deficit to overturn, the reigning champion needs a dramatic swing over the final nine stages.

The punishing Saudi terrain offered no shortage of hazards. Two punctures derailed Rovanperä’s challenge early on, while M-Sport’s Josh McErlean lost more than two minutes changing a tyre and early leader Martin Sesks also lost his advantage to similar problems.

Friday’s six stages begin at 05:36 GMT, with another three runs on Saturday – including two opportunities for bonus points – set to determine a dramatically poised 2025 title fight.

Rally Saudi Arabia standings after Stage 8

1. Adrien Fourmaux (France), Hyundai, 1 hours 18 minutes 45.3 seconds

2. Sami Pajari (Finland), Toyota, +6.0secs

3. Martins Sesks (Latvia), Ford, +6.9secs

4. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, +13.7secs

5. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, +14.9secs

6. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, +22.9secs

7. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, +44.2secs

8. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, +1min 21.2secs

9. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, +1min 25.3secs

10. Gregoire Munster (Luxembourg), Ford, +2min 10.9secs

Selected

11. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, +3min 30.1secs

13. Gus Greensmith (Great Britain), Skoda, +3min 58.0secs

FIA World Rally Championship drivers' standings before Rally Saudi Arabia

1. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain), Toyota, 272 points

2. Sebastien Ogier (France), Toyota, 269

3. Kalle Rovanpera (Finland), Toyota, 248

4. Ott Tanak (Estonia), Hyundai, 213

5. Thierry Neuville (Belgium), Hyundai, 166

6. Takamoto Katsuta (Japan), Toyota, 111

Selected

11. Josh McErlean (Ireland), Ford, 26

14. Gus Greensmith (Great Britain), Skoda, 14