Elfyn Evans has received a surprise from Toyota ahead of the WRC season finale in Sardinia. The Japanese team has changed the nomination of drivers who will score manufacturer points, and Evans can now replace critical components on his GR Yaris Rally1 more freely.
Under WRC regulations, drivers nominated to score manufacturer points have a limited allocation of key mechanical components such as engines and gearboxes. However, in Sardinia, Evans will not face that constraint. This decision provides a small tactical advantage, but it could be significant in a rally that is tough on machinery.
Evans arrives on the Italian island with a 17-point lead over his nearest challenger, Sami Pajari. He is also 21 points ahead of third-placed Oliver Solberg. Nevertheless, opening the road in Sardinia will be anything but easy. The road-sweeping effect is usually significant, and only unpredictable weather might prevent it.
Following the change, Oliver Solberg and Sebastien Ogier will be the drivers scoring manufacturer points for Toyota at the season finale. Meanwhile, Sami Pajari will score points for his own team, while Evans and Takamoto Katsuta will not score any manufacturers' championship points.
However, the change will have no bearing on the final outcome of the manufacturers' championship, as Toyota secured the title at the previous round in Chile. Even so, this decision shows how teams manage strategy down to the smallest detail, even when the title is already secured.
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