Elfyn Evans says he is looking forward to taking his place in the exciting all-new driver line-up in the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team at the 2020 FIA World Rally Championship campaign.

While his maiden victory came on home soil in Wales in 2017, Evans has proven himself as a fast and consistent driver across the wide variety of different surfaces and conditions in the WRC.

Joining Toyota for the next two years, the 30-year-old from Dinas Mawddwy says he will continuing the strong working relationship he started with co-driver Scott Martin in this year’s championship.

“Joining Toyota Gazoo Racing is a great opportunity for me, and I’m really excited to get going,”said the Welsh rally star.

“The team has been very successful since it came into the sport three years ago and I’m looking forward to be a part of it. Tommi Mäkinen has been very successful as a driver himself and knows what it takes to perform at this level.

“It’s been great to deal with him so far, and I’m really looking forward to getting to know the team better as we ramp up towards the start of next season.”

He added: “2019 was a mixed season for us - missing three rallies due to injury being the low point - but there were some strong results and performances as we competed for stage wins and podiums.

“Now I want to take that further, to be winning rallies more often and seeing what’s possible in this new chapter. It will be nice to work with six-time champion Sébastien Ogier again too.

“With the experience and success he’s had, he’s a great guy to have in the team.”

Evans has long been part of the M-Sport family, and a perfect example of Ford’s ‘Ladder of Opportunity,’ in action. During his early career, he impressed behind the wheel of two-wheel-drive Fiestas - contesting the Ford Fiesta Sport Trophy in the UK and Ireland, and securing numerous championship titles, before progressing to the World stage as part of the FIA WRC Academy in 2012.

Winning four events in succession with the Ford Fiesta R2, Evans secured the title with a rally to spare, and the following year he advanced to the four-wheel-drive competition with the newly-launched EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta R5.

Showcasing his ability to challenge for the top results in WRC 2, he earned his seat in the Ford Fiesta RS WRC for 2014 - securing his first podiums and leading his first rally a year later in 2015.

A season away from the top flight saw the Welshman return with a point to prove in 2017, and he delivered his best season to date – claiming his maiden victory and playing an instrumental role in M-Sport’s championship success.

With a win and nine podiums at the highest level of the sport, Evans made a name for himself with the M-Sport Fiesta, and became a proven performer in one of the most exciting and competitive eras.

M-Sport Managing Director, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “Over the past 10 years I have watched Elfyn develop into a world-class driver - all behind the wheel of our Ford Fiesta rally cars. He’s the perfect example of how a young driver can progress through Ford’s, ‘Ladder of Opportunity.’ We wish him the very best.

“We wanted to retain his services for 2020, but unfortunately that’s not been possible. Having said that, I remain extremely proud of all we have achieved together, and the part M-Sport has played in his development. Elfyn has become a key player at the sport’s highest level, and it goes without saying that he will always be part of the M-Sport family.”