Elfyn Evans says he must “get again to regular methods” and “get pleasure from” being behind the wheel after an Acropolis Rally that severely dented his World Rally Championship title aspirations.
The Toyota driver headed to Greece hoping to re-ignite his championship hopes after a driveshaft failure, adopted by a crash on Sunday in Finland, left the Welshman with a zero factors rating.
Nevertheless, Evans might solely salvage eight factors from last week’s Acropolis Rally following a continuation of misfortune. The 2-time WRC title runner-up suffered a puncture on the opening stage adopted by a turbo failure that left Evans virtually 10 minutes adrift.
A sluggish pace roll after clipping a rut on Saturday afternoon prompted an early retirement earlier than ending third in each the Tremendous Sunday classification and the Energy Stage.
With three rounds remaining, the title continues to be mathematically potential, with Evans sitting 52 factors behind championship chief and Acropolis winner Thierry Neuville.
“We had some moments that weren’t dangerous however on the entire, it was a fairly poor weekend,” mentioned Evans.
“Clearly, we nonetheless have to attempt our greatest to complete the season on a excessive to be prepared for subsequent yr, but additionally to do our greatest for the staff.
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
“There was no challenge with the automotive [on Sunday]. The automotive was truly feeling fairly good. I believe it was a little bit of motivation and the pattern of how issues have been going and I’m simply kind of completely satisfied to be on the finish in a way and try to get again to regular methods within the subsequent rounds.
“We have to get again to regular methods and end with rhythm and feeling once more, and get again to having fun with being behind the wheel a bit as a result of actually the final rally and half has been tough.”
Evans initially thought that the puncture on the opening stage was his fault for hitting a compression however upon reviewing the info it seems that as soon as once more dangerous luck struck.
“The puncture truly got here from a stone within the line once we checked the movies. I don’t know what you are able to do about that,” he added.
“In fact, on the time I used to be able to put my arms high as we knew there was compression and it was a coincidence that after we hit the puncture alarm got here on. The explanation I had such an influence on this place was as a result of the tyre was so comfortable.”