Elfyn Evans led day one of Rally Croatia after posting the fastest times on the opening two stages. On the third run he mis‑judged a right‑hander, spun off and became wedged in dense foliage far off the road. A nervous comment, “I thought it was a three,” suggested a pacenote slip with co‑driver Scott Martin. His car suffered minor damage before crews retrieved it.

Evans’ exit handed fellow Toyota driver Sami Pajari the rally lead, tightening the intra‑team battle for the championship. Meanwhile, teammate Oliver Solberg, who entered the round second in the standings, also retired after clipping a bank on the opening stage. Irish M‑Sport Ford entrant Jon Armstrong later quit when his car struck a concrete kerb on stage four. The stage incidents highlight the rally’s unforgiving gravel surfaces.

With Evans and Solberg both out, Gazoo Racing loses two of its three title contenders, leaving the championship points gap wider for rival teams. Pajari’s new lead gives Toyota a chance to consolidate, but the early attrition underscores how quickly fortunes can shift in the WRC. Fans in Croatia witnessed the drama from the sidelines. Evans now must rely on future rallies to protect his season lead.