Neuville’s Take On Evans – A WRC Rivalry Like No Other!

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The Battle of Two WRC Titans

In the high-speed, adrenaline-fueled world of the World Rally Championship (WRC), few rivalries have captivated fans as much as the one between Thierry Neuville and Elfyn Evans. Both drivers have been at the forefront of modern rallying, constantly pushing each other to the limit in the fight for WRC supremacy.

image_67ecaa9883225 Neuville’s Take on Evans – A WRC Rivalry Like No Other!

But what makes this rivalry so unique?

Is it their contrasting driving styles?

Their head-to-head battles across multiple seasons?

Or the respect and tension that fuels their competition?

With Neuville recently opening up about his thoughts on Evans as a competitor, this rivalry has once again become a hot topic in the WRC community. In this deep dive, we explore:

Neuville’s perspective on Evans.

Their fiercest battles over the years.

How this rivalry compares to WRC’s greatest duels.

What the future holds for both drivers.

Fasten your seatbelts—this is a rivalry like no other!

A Tale of Two Drivers

1.1 Who is Thierry Neuville?

Born in St. Vith, Belgium, Thierry Neuville has long been Hyundai’s lead driver in WRC. Since joining the Korean manufacturer in 2014, Neuville has built a reputation as one of the most consistent and aggressive drivers on the grid.

WRC Debut: 2009

WRC Wins: 20+ (as of 2024)

Best Championship Finish: 2nd place (multiple times)

Driving Style: Aggressive, calculated, and relentless.

Neuville’s biggest strength is his ability to extract the maximum performance from his car, no matter the terrain. He’s a master of tarmac rallies, but he has also proven to be a threat on gravel and snow.

1.2 Who is Elfyn Evans?

From the rugged Welsh countryside, Elfyn Evans has been a force in WRC since joining Toyota Gazoo Racing. Known for his smooth, technical driving style, Evans has emerged as one of the most consistent threats to Neuville’s title aspirations.

WRC Debut: 2013

WRC Wins: 7+ (as of 2024)

Best Championship Finish: 2nd place (multiple times)

Driving Style: Precise, intelligent, and adaptable.

Evans is often seen as a thinking driver—one who balances raw speed with strategy, making him an incredibly difficult opponent to beat.

While Neuville thrives on all-out attack, Evans relies on flawless execution and risk management—two styles that have clashed dramatically over the years.

The Making of a WRC Rivalry

2.1 Early Battles – A Rivalry in the Making

Neuville and Evans first crossed paths in the junior rallying categories, but it wasn’t until 2017-2018 that their rivalry truly took shape.

2017 Rally Argentina: Neuville stole victory from Evans in a heartbreaking last-stage defeat for the Welshman. Evans led for most of the rally, only for Neuville to edge him out by 0.7 seconds—the third-closest finish in WRC history.

2018 Rally Italy: Evans retaliated by pushing Neuville to the limit, but the Belgian held on for another dramatic victory.

These early battles set the tone for what would become a deeply competitive, yet respectful rivalry.

2.2 The 2020 Season – A Fight for the Championship

The COVID-shortened 2020 season was when the rivalry exploded into a full-on title fight.

Evans led the championship heading into the final round in Monza.

Neuville was still mathematically in contention, needing a miracle to win the title.

In a shocking twist, Evans crashed out in snowy conditions, opening the door for his Toyota teammate Sébastien Ogier to win the title.

Neuville, despite finishing strong, saw another title slip away. This moment intensified the rivalry, as Neuville was once again left frustrated by how close he had come to his first WRC championship.

2.3 The 2023 Season – The Most Heated Year Yet

By 2023, Neuville and Evans were not just rivals—they were two of the biggest contenders to dethrone Kalle Rovanperä.

Rally Croatia 2023: Neuville and Evans engaged in a back-and-forth battle, trading stage wins in wet conditions.

Rally Finland 2023: Evans secured a dominant victory, showing he could win on Neuville’s strongest terrain.

Rally Japan 2023: Neuville took a crucial win, proving he wasn’t going down without a fight.

By the end of the season, both drivers had shown they were capable of winning a WRC title, but neither had yet conquered Rovanperä’s dominance.

Neuville’s Perspective on Evans

3.1 What Does Neuville Think of Evans?

In a recent interview, Neuville spoke candidly about his rivalry with Evans, saying:

“Elfyn is one of the toughest opponents I’ve ever faced. He’s incredibly smart, rarely makes mistakes, and always keeps the pressure on. Our battles have pushed me to become a better driver.”

Despite their heated competition, Neuville acknowledges that Evans is one of the most technically sound drivers on the grid.

He respects Evans’ ability to manage his tires and read rally conditions.

He acknowledges that Evans has an underrated speed on gravel and snow.

However, Neuville believes his own aggressive approach gives him the edge in tight battles.

3.2 How Does Evans See Neuville?

On the other hand, Evans has also shared his thoughts on Neuville, saying:

“Thierry is an incredibly fast driver, but he takes more risks than I do. Sometimes that pays off, sometimes it doesn’t. But you can never count him out.”

While Evans admires Neuville’s raw speed, he believes that his own calculated approach makes him a stronger championship contender over a full season.

Who Will Come Out on Top?

4.1 Can Neuville Finally Win a Championship?

After years of finishing runner-up, Neuville is still chasing his first WRC title. With Hyundai investing heavily in their Rally1 program, 2024-2025 might be his best chance yet.

4.2 Is Evans Ready to Step Up?

Evans has been close to winning a title multiple times. With Ogier scaling back his WRC commitments, Evans is now Toyota’s main title challenger. Can he step up and claim his first championship?

4.3 The Next Chapter in the Rivalry

With both drivers entering their prime years, expect many more intense battles between Neuville and Evans in the coming seasons. Whether it’s gravel, snow, or tarmac, these two drivers will continue to push each other to the absolute limit.