Evans has ‘shaken monster from shoulder’ after WRC Croatia

Last year’s championship runner-up kick-started his season by recording a top five at Rally Croatia last month, following back-to-back retirements at Monte Carlo and Sweden.

The Toyota driver admitted heading into Croatia that he could ill-afford another costly error after crashing out of a likely podium finish in Monte Carlo and Sweden.

Following a measured drive to fifth in tricky wet conditions in Croatia, that was hampered by two front left punctures on the rally’s first day, Latvala believes the result will help Evans ignite his campaign.

“He really needed to get a solid drive and he did the third fastest time on the power stage, he got some good points, so I’m glad for him and now he can start his championship in Portugal with a good starting position,” Latvala told Motorsport.com.

“We don’t know what is going to happen in this championship but he needed a result.

“Elfyn had a monster on his shoulder and that has now been shaken off.”

Fifth place plus three extra points from the rally-ending power stage has added a much needed 13 points to Evans’s tally after three events, but the Welshman sits 59 adrift of championship leader and teammate Kalle Rovanpera.

While relieved to get some points on the board, Evans is already looking ahead to the WRC’s visit to Portugal later this month, where he will receive a favourable road position for the first gravel event of the season.

“It has been a difficult run of events and this one in Croatia no exception at least we made it to the end and got good mileage at least in the car,” Evans told Motorsport.com.

“The power stage was always going to be difficult. There was time perhaps but not much we could have done in terms of position with the tyres we had at least.

“I’m reasonably satisfied with that we came away with in the circumstances.

“Overall to be honest I haven’t had too many…