By Paul Evans

Elfyn Evans goes into today’s final leg of the Tour de Corse with his eyes firmly set on fifth place, after another strong day with new co-driver Phil Mills in the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Fiesta WRC.

The 29-year driver from Dolgellau is just 3.1 seconds behind Dani Sordo/Carlos del Barrio (Hyundai) and has been getting quicker as he and Mills develop that special driver/co-driver relationship – setting an event best fifth fastest on the final stage of day two, SS10.

“We didn’t have the best of mornings, and I felt as though I was a bit too hesitant in places,” said Evans. “It wasn’t anything major, but it soon adds up. We made some improvements in the afternoon and I was feeling a lot more comfortable in the car. The relationship with Phil has gelled quite a lot better today too and we’ve seen some promising times which bodes well for tomorrow.”

Evans’ team-mates Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia continue to lead the Tour de Corse and are now 44. 5s ahead of Ott Tänak/Martin Järveoja (Toyota), with Thierry Neuville/Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai) in third.

Today’s final leg, which heads south-west to the Gravona valley, will be no cruise to the finish. The day kicks off with the longest stage of the event, the 34.28 mile Vero–Sarrola-Carcopino test, before an all-new Power Stage closes the action. The finish and prize-giving is in Ajaccio this afternoon.

1. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) 2:43:07.7
2. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +44.5
3. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC +44.6
4. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +54.9
5. Dani Sordo / Carlos del Barrio (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:46.7
6. Elfyn Evans / Phil Mills (Ford Fiesta WRC) +1:49.8
7. Andreas Mikkelsen / Anders Jaeger (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +2:13.5
8. Jan Kopecky / Pavel Dresler (Skoda Fabia R5) +8:22.9
9. Yoann Bonato / Benjamin Boulloud (Citroen C3 R5) +9:47.3
10. Kris Meeke / Paul Nagle (Citroen C3 WRC) +10:41.4