Elfyn Evans has been runner-up in the World Rally Championship (WRC) five times in the past six years, coming tantalisingly close to ultimate success. The Welsh driver from Dolgellau now closes in on his elusive crown with a 17-point lead heading into the season-ending Rally Italia Sardegna from 1-4 October. If he maintains his advantage over team-mates Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg, Evans would become only the third Briton to win the WRC title, joining Colin McRae and Richard Burns.
Evans' near-misses include devastating crashes and misfortune. In 2020, a last-event crash in Monza after leading by 14 points handed the title to Sebastien Ogier by just eight points. The 37-year-old's reaction was raw: "it was a massive disappointment" that made him "more determined" for the year ahead.
His 2021 campaign ended similarly, with Ogier winning in Monaco and three of the first six rounds. Despite a second victory in Finland and a second place in Catalunya forcing a final-event decider at Monza, Ogier prevailed again.
Evans' 2023 season saw struggles with newly introduced hybrid cars, including going off-road in the opening round. Now, with the WRC calendar truncated by the removal of the planned Saudi Arabia finale, Evans has his chance to seize history in Sardinia.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing