Evans Looking For Fourth

Elfyn Evans is in a three man scrap for fourth place after continuing his Monte Carlo comeback.

The 29-year-old goes into the final day in sixth spot having been 16th on Thursday night after losing several minutes with a puncture.

But Evans is just 22 seconds behind the Toyota of Finland’s Esapekka Lappi who has less than two seconds in hand on Dungannon’s Kris Meeke.

Evans did not add to the two fastest stage times he set on Friday’s run through the French Alps, not helped in the morning by the running order.

But he and co-driver Daniel Barritt produced another strong performance on Saturday including the second fastest time behind Thierry Neuville on SS13.

And not even an intermittent issue with the intercom could slow his speed – the Dolgellau-born driver just 2.9 seconds adrift of the fastest time on SS12 whilst only hearing 40 percent of the pacenotes.

Evans said: “It’s not been the easiest day for sure, but I think we can be satisfied with our performance.

“We saw a lot of contrasting and challenging conditions today – and the morning stages were especially difficult. With our road position considered, I think the pace was pretty good.

“There’s just over 20 seconds separating us from the guys ahead, but it looks as though the conditions could be a bit more settled tomorrow. That will make it difficult to produce any big gains, but we have to keep going and see what’s possible.”

M-Sport team chief Malcolm Wilson said: “Elfyn too has shown great speed and hinted at what could have been were it not for that unlucky puncture on Thursday night.

“He’s up to sixth now and with less than half a minute separating him from the two positions ahead, there’s a chance to gain even more.”

Evans’ Stage Results

SS9: 8th (+1:32.3)
SS10: 6th (+22.0)
SS11: 3rd (+18.3)
SS12: 4th (+2.9)
SS13: 2nd (+2.1)

Top 10 Overall

1. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) 3:30:30.9
2. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +33.5
3. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +59.2
4. Esapekka Lapp / Janne Ferme (Toyota Yaris WRC) +3:05.8
5. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Citroen DS3 WRC) +4:40.1
6. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +5:00.2
7. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +5:33.6
8. Bryan Bouffier / Xavier Panseri (Ford Fiesta WRC) +5:43.4
9. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen DS3 WRC) +8:49.0
10. Jan Kopecky / Pavel Dresler (Skoda Fabia R5) +14:04.4