Toyota's Elfyn Evans won Rally Sweden on Sunday to take over at the top of the world championship standings from absent team mate Sebastien Ogier.
Japan's Takamoto Katsuta made it a team one-two, 3.8 seconds behind the Welshman, in the snow event around the northeast city of Umea, with Hyundai's reigning world champion Thierry Neuville third and a further 8.1 adrift.
The win in the second round of the season was the 10th of Evans' world championship career.
"Championship-wise, it's been a very good start. Obviously it's very early days but I don't think you could wish for much better than this," he said.
Evans had led Katsuta overnight by three seconds and stretched that to the finish, after falling behind in the day's opening stage, to take maximum bonus points for a final stage victory and a weekend haul of 35 points.
The Toyota driver, who was runner-up to eight-times world champion Ogier in last month's Monte Carlo opener, has 61 points to Ogier's 33 with double world champion team mate Kalle Rovanpera on 31 and Neuville on 29.
Ogier is competing part-time this season.
Toyota lead the manufacturer standings with 120 points to Hyundai's 72.
"Unfortunately, I was not able to find the victory this time," said Katsuta, who is waiting for his first championship success.
"Elfyn did a great stage time on the last one, so hats off to Elfyn. I'm disappointed I didn't win but it's OK this time."
Estonia's Ott Tanak was fourth for Hyundai with Rovanpera fifth and Latvian Martins Seks sixth for M-Sport Ford.
The next round on the schedule is Kenya's Safari Rally from March 20 to 23.
Evans wins in Sweden to go top of WRC standings
Image: Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images
Toyota's Elfyn Evans won Rally Sweden on Sunday to take over at the top of the world championship standings from absent team mate Sebastien Ogier.
Japan's Takamoto Katsuta made it a team one-two, 3.8 seconds behind the Welshman, in the snow event around the northeast city of Umea, with Hyundai's reigning world champion Thierry Neuville third and a further 8.1 adrift.
The win in the second round of the season was the 10th of Evans' world championship career.
"Championship-wise, it's been a very good start. Obviously it's very early days but I don't think you could wish for much better than this," he said.
Evans had led Katsuta overnight by three seconds and stretched that to the finish, after falling behind in the day's opening stage, to take maximum bonus points for a final stage victory and a weekend haul of 35 points.
The Toyota driver, who was runner-up to eight-times world champion Ogier in last month's Monte Carlo opener, has 61 points to Ogier's 33 with double world champion team mate Kalle Rovanpera on 31 and Neuville on 29.
Ogier is competing part-time this season.
Toyota lead the manufacturer standings with 120 points to Hyundai's 72.
"Unfortunately, I was not able to find the victory this time," said Katsuta, who is waiting for his first championship success.
"Elfyn did a great stage time on the last one, so hats off to Elfyn. I'm disappointed I didn't win but it's OK this time."
Estonia's Ott Tanak was fourth for Hyundai with Rovanpera fifth and Latvian Martins Seks sixth for M-Sport Ford.
The next round on the schedule is Kenya's Safari Rally from March 20 to 23.
READ MORE:
Evans keeps slender lead after three-way battle in Sweden
Evans leads tight battle in snowy Sweden
New rules announced for 2026 Sasol Solar Challenge
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most read
Latest Videos