World Rally Championship: ‘Intense calendar’ helps Elfyn Evans get over fifth runner-up spot

Evans finished second in Monte Carlo 12 months ago and was also runner-up in the traditional season opener in 2021.

“There are a few new challenges in Monte Carlo, a few new stages and the conditions there always throw up a surprise,” said Evans.

“It’s always a bit of a lottery to start the year.”

The drivers again face a 14-event campaign this year.

Rally Croatia will return to the calendar, replacing the Central European Rally which was co-hosted between Germany, Austria and Czech Republic.

And for a second year, the series will conclude with the controversial Saudi event which made its debut in 2025.

So it is same start, same finish for 2026, with Evans just hoping for a slightly different final outcome.