Elfyn Evans has reflected on a year that has seen him go from rally spectator to Wales’ first winner of a World Rally Championship event.

The Dolgellau-born driver missed last year’s Wales Rally GB having been dropped by M-Sport from it’s WRC line-up.

Evans spent a year back in the WRC2 category and the British Rally Championship – which he won – fearing he might be out of work.

“I was,” said the 28-year-old son of ex-British Champ Gwyndaf. .“I was out spectating. At that time nothing was sure for this season.

“There was a chance of something and we were working towards it, but nothing was certain – far from it. It was a tough.

“Since then maybe I’ve changed a bit, maybe there’s a bit more strength of character.

“I don’t know, that sort of thing happens without you realising I guess.”

Evans returned to M-Sport’s line-up for 2017 driving the DMACK car and repaid the faith shown in him with second places in Argentina then Finland after arguably the finest drive of his career.

Then last month, he and co-driver Dan Barritt powered to victory on the Wales Rally GB become the first Welshman to win a WRC event outright.

And he ended a 17-year search for a home winner of the famous event since the late Richard Burns.

“I think we can both get we’ve won the rally and that’s a big deal, but what probably hasn’t sunk in and will take a while is that we’ve won Rally GB,” said Evans of his success with Barritt.

“That’ll maybe come when you look down the list and see all the names up there before us.

“That’s when we’ll realise this is special. Of course it’s special, coming in this part of the world. This is where I grew up and it’s where I live now.

“Already after Shakedown, we knew if the conditions played into our hands then the speed was there to challenge for the victory.

“As the weekend went on, I felt that it was always in my reach, but this is an event you can never predict.

“A clean run with no punctures, spins or mistakes is very difficult. It’s all about finding the right balance and I think that’s what we managed to achieve this weekend.

“I’m definitely hungry for more wins now, so let’s wait and see what next year has in store.

“Now that I have felt this feeling, it’s one that I would like to repeat!”

What 2018 has in store is likely to be a return to the Michelin-shod M-Sport line-up as boss Malcolm Wilson sorts out his drivers before the season opener in Monte Carlo.

Estonia’s Ott Tanak is leaving to join Toyota while the future of Sebastien Ogier – who finished third in Wales to clinch a fifth World Championship title – is uncertain.

The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Citroen while there has also been rumours he might retire.