By Paul Evans

Elfyn Evans holds a solid sixth place after the opening two stages of the Monte Carlo Rally, which began last night from Gap in southeastern France.

Together with new co-driver Scott Martin, Evans was sixth fastest on both the opening speed tests in his EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC to end the first night’s action 48.2 seconds behind rally leader Ott Tänak (Toyota).

A clean and trouble-free start was just what Evans wanted in the icy conditions – although the slippery Tarmac caught out his M-Sport team-mate Teemu Suninen, who nose-dived his Fiesta WRC into a ditch early in SS1. If that wasn’t bad enough, fellow Finn Kalle Rovanperä then rammed his Škoda Fabia R5 into the back of Suninen’s car, causing even more damage.

“It’s been a typical start to Rallye Monte-Carlo with some really challenging conditions,” said Evans. “We could have gone harder for sure, and I was kicking myself in a few places, but we delivered a clean run and are in a reasonably good position going into tomorrow – which is always the most important thing.”

“Elfyn and Scott delivered a solid drive through some really tricky conditions which sets them up nicely for tomorrow – just three second shy of fourth place and thirty seconds adrift of the podium,” added M-Sport Team Principal, Richard Millener. “And as everyone knows, there is a still a very long way to go with all to play for.”

The 87th edition of the Monte Carlo Rally continues on Friday, which is the longest day of the event and contains two loops of three challenging stages. Saturday’s route, which ultimately takes the crews down into Monaco, takes in two repeated loops of two stages, while Sunday’s final leg will see the completion of all 16 stages, including the famous Col de Turini and La Cabanette-Col de Braus stages.