Evans: Safety-first approach won't win WRC title
Toyota World Rally Championship driver Elfyn Evans says a safety-first approach is not how he plans to win the 2021 WRC title, despite it almost netting him glory in 2020.

A consistent run of points scoring finishes and two victories in Sweden and Turkey meant the Welshman was tipped to become the first British WRC champion since Richard Burns in 2001 before disaster struck.
A 14-point lead over team-mate Sebastien Ogier prior to the final round of 2020 was negated by a crash on the Saturday leg of the Rally Monza finale that demoted him to second in the standings.
Aiming to put that disappointment firmly behind him, Evans has targeted equalling or bettering the third-place result he bagged at last year’s Monte Carlo Rally, saying he is determined not to be "left behind" with a safety-first policy.
“You never want to start Monte with a bad result – I have been there in the past and of naturally you feel the pressure going into the second round," said Evans.
"You can’t let that get in the way, either. You have to come to Monte to get the most out of the weekend, to do the best job that you can, and aim for the best result possible.
“At this level, if you are going to drive to guarantee safety, then it’s almost the case you should stay at home because you’re going to get left behind.
"It is very easy to get left behind in terms of points lost by not being competitive; the drop-off is quite large when you take a safety-first approach.
Read Also:
"For me it’s a case of what I did last year: to do the best that I can on every rally."
Just seven weeks have passed since the previous WRC campaign ended, but Evans said he wouldn't allow the disappointment of his Monza accident to cloud his focus.
“Yes, it is a short turnaround but it’s a short turnaround for everybody - we’re all in the same boat,” he said.
“The ultimate goal is of course to be champion, but I’m not thinking too far ahead because it is a long and tough season ahead of us.
"I’m just going to take it rally-by-rally and trying to do the best that we can on each of them and see what comes at the end."
Related video

Tanak expects "more promising" second year at Hyundai
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC

Latest news
The former WRC star playing the unsung hero role for Rovanpera
Kalle Rovanpera’s 2022 World Rally Championship displays have been spectacular, with the Toyota driver benefitting from a secret weapon in his crew to win two of the opening three rallies. But while the former challenger to Sebastien Loeb won’t take credit for his fellow Finn's performances, a key bond has been formed which could prove key to Rovanpera’s title charge
How Rovanpera's Croatia turnaround sent a message to his WRC rivals
After a dominating Rally Croatia, a wrong tyre choice on the final day looked to have undone all Kalle Rovanpera's hard work and left him with a mountain to climb heading into the power stage. That he emerged the winner all the same has surely quelled any lingering doubts that the Finn is the man to beat in the 2022 WRC
How M-Sport's faith in Loubet led to a WRC reprieve after a dismal 2021
It's fair to say 2021 was a year to forget for Pierre-Louis Loubet. A maiden full World Rally Championship season offered hope but soon turned into a nightmare that ended in hospital, after being hit by a car in a road traffic accident. Now handed a lifeline by M-Sport, the Frenchman is desperate to rebuild his career
Why WRC mechanics deserve more respect
The drivers get the glare of attention, but it’s the mechanics who are key to the operation of any World Rally Championship car. Motorsport.com donned a set of overalls and joined M-Sport on a Belgian national rally event to get an inside look into the life of a rally mechanic.
The African McRae aiming to become a WRC pioneer
Taking his first step into the Junior World Rally Championship category, McRae Kimathi - named after 1995 world champion Colin - found himself in the unfamiliar climes of Sweden's snow and ice. Having impressed, Kimathi hopes to blaze a trail to the top level of WRC and help other African drivers to step onto the ladder
How Rovanpera grabbed the Rally Sweden spotlight
After a blockbuster opening act to the new era of the World Rally Championship with the battle of the Sebastiens at Monte Carlo, Rally Sweden would be the first chance to assess the next superstar of rallying. While teething issues with the new hybrid power thwarted some of the cast, Kalle Rovanpera’s display gave him headline billing
The "painful" journey behind the WRC's generational tech innovation
As the company selected to provide the hybrid kits for the 2022 World Rally Championship, the pressure was on Compact Dynamics at the Monte Carlo season opener. Needing to treat all three manufacturers equally, it wasn't a straightforward process, but its first big test was a resounding success that bodes well for the future.
The mentality shift key to Lappi’s shot at WRC redemption
He appeared poised to become the World Rally Championship’s new bright young star five years ago, but Esapekka Lappi's fortunes since his 2017 breakthrough win offer a cautionary tale of how the tables can turn. Now having rebuilt his career, the Finn is determined to make the most of his second shot at the big time with Toyota.