Evans fades to third in Monte Carlo WRC opener

Elfyn Evans faded to finish a disappointing third behind winner Thierry Neuville at Rallye Monte-Carlo.

The Welshman led throughout Thursday and Friday before problems with the hybrid unit in his Toyota Yaris.

He finished 45.2 secs behind Hyundai's Neuville, with Sebastien Ogier second in the opening round of the 2024 World Rally Championship (WRC).

"We weren't fast enough to win this weekend," said Evans, who was runner-up in last year's WRC.

"The potential was there but we didn't quite get it right on Saturday afternoon, really. That's how it is."

Evans built an early 15-second lead over Belgian Neuville with victory in Thursday's two opening stages and retained the lead all the way into Saturday's opening stage nine.

However, having made one change after problems on Friday, he was forced to swap to a third hybrid unit on Saturday as he suffered a loss of power in his GR Yaris Rally1 car.

He also reported problems coping with icy conditions in the traditionally wintry and unpredictable race in the French Alps.

"I was really too careful at the end with the ice," he said after Sunday morning's early stage 15.

Earlier in the rally, he had described conditions as being "very difficult to judge".

Neuville won eight of the 17 stages and also picked up maximum points for both his Sunday performance and the final power stage under a new scoring system. He claimed 30 points to take a six-point advantage from the opening event.

"I don't have the words, it was just so great this weekend, the team was just working so well," said Neuville.

"We need to continue working but we are very happy to win this rally."

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin finished runners-up to team-mate Kalle Rovanpera in 2023, their third second-place WRC finish in four years.

With Rovanpera and fellow Toyota driver Ogier - an eight-time world champion - both only racing part time in 2024, Evans will see this year as a great opportunity to claim his first World Championship.

Round two of the 13-race series is Rally Sweden from 15-18 February.

1. Thierry Neuville (Belgium) Hyundai, 30 points

2. Sebastien Ogier (France) Toyota, 24 points

3. Elfyn Evans (Great Britain) Toyota, 21 points

4. Ott Tanak (Estonia) Hyundai, 15 points

5. Adrien Fourmaux (France) Ford, 11 points