Elfyn Evans stopped to change a puncture on the penultimate stage of Rally Italy Sardinia, throwing a late twist in the World Rally Championship title race.
Oliver Solberg started the season finale 21 points behind series leader Evans, but had trimmed that deficit to a net six points by leading the event with Evans in fifth, and by leading Super Sunday with Evans in fourth.
But there was a late twist for Evans who stopped to change a tire very early on the penultimate stage of the season, and dropped outside the points-paying Super Sunday positions.
However Evans is still in control of his own destiny, holding a net one-point advantage over Solberg – who saw his Super Sunday lead reduced to 8.7s over the other championship contender, Sami Pajari.
“We could see it coming a long way back, it was a very fast corner with a lot of stones,” Evans said. I eased the speed right off and went as clean as I could through it… yeah. Can always count on these [tires].
“We’ll try [on the powerstage].”
With Solberg set to win a tiebreak scenario, whoever beats the other on the powerstage will be world champion.
“We’ll do our very best to the end,” said Solberg. “On the first pass we had a clear disadvantage starting in the back, hopefully it’s not the same in the powerstage. Maybe I wish it was a more normal stage, but anyway I will fight. All in.”
