ELFYN Evans is hopeful that he can kick-start his FIA World Rally Championship campaign at this week's Tour of Corsica, competing alongside 2003 World Rally Champion co-driver Phil Mills.

Evans’ regular co-driver Dan Barritt was unfortunately ruled out after he went through a medical last weekend - following the sixth-gear crash that ruled him and Evans out of Rally Mexico.

It was decided that the Englishman needed more recovery time before returning to the Ford Fiesta WRC.

Mills had retired from the full-time WRC midway through 2010, having won 13 rounds and the 2003 title with Petter Solberg, although he has been part of Evans’ gravel crew for the past five years.

Evans, from Dinas Mawddwy, has only scored on one of the three rounds so far this season, picking up sixth in Monte Carlo. But Corsica is an event he favours - and it was the place he first led a WRC round before finishing second in 2015.

“This is an event that I really enjoy, and we’ll be looking to maximise that next week." said Evans.

"The speed is there, but I’ve not had the best start to the year and that’s something I’m determined to put right in Corsica.

“It won’t be easy without Dan, but his fitness comes first and it’s important that he has the time to make a full recovery for the rest of the season. Phil has stepped in, and I hope that we can push for a good result.

“Phil certainly knows his stuff. Other than Dan, he knows my pacenotes better than anyone and he’s certainly no stranger when it comes to winning rallies.

“This year’s route has a lot of new sections, but it’s still a technical challenge which is one of the things I really enjoy here.

"There’s quite a lot of variation amongst the stages – some are surprisingly smooth, but then there are those which are typically Corsican with abrasive Tarmac that twists through the mountains."

Evans added: "It’s all about adapting to the conditions, and that will be the case even more so for us next week. We’ll have a fairly late running order which won’t be ideal, and we’ll need some time to get used to one another in the car as well.

“We’ll just have to see how it goes and do the best we can. I’ve had some good results here in the past, and I’m keen to see what we can do this year.”

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team has enjoyed a strong start to this year’s FIA World Rally Championship.

After three events, the team have secured two victories and will be chasing a third when the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs don their asphalt guise for next week’s Corsica Linea – Tour de Corse.

Making the most of the increased technical support from Ford Performance, the Rally Mexico winning Fiesta made its way to Indianapolis in America earlier this month for some aerodynamic research and development at the Blue Oval’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel.

With attention on the first pure asphalt event of the year, the team also spent last week conducting a comprehensive test in Corsica – targeting specific set-ups to ensure that Sébastien Ogier, Elfyn Evans and returnee Bryan Bouffier are best prepared for the challenges ahead.

But the wintry weather struck once again – the test team stranded in Heathrow overnight which meant the five-day test was reduced to just four. Despite the delay, the Cumbrian squad remain well prepared and the crews determined to make their mark on the Rally of 10,000 Corners.

With Sébastien Ogier leading the drivers’ standings, Julien Ingrassia leading the co-drivers’ standings and the team just 12 points shy of the lead in the manufacturers’ standings, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team are keen to deliver another strong result next week.

The competition will be tough, but Team Principal Malcolm Wilson knows that his team has the potential to deliver another strong performance.

“With two wins from the first three events, we’ve got our season off to another fantastic start and hope to see that continue at next week’s Tour de Corse," he said.

“Sébastien, Elfyn and Bryan all really enjoy this event and all have some impressive results to their names in Corsica. We’ll be hoping that plays to our advantage, and I’m looking forward to seeing what each of them can deliver.

“Leading the championship, Sébastien is exactly where he needs to be and well-placed to challenge for a top result. Elfyn and Bryan’s road position could put them at something of a disadvantage, but I know that they are both hungry for a strong result.

“The competition will be fierce, but we’ve made a lot of progress and have the potential to deliver another strong performance next week. We all know how challenging this event can be, but we’re well prepared and determined to deliver once more.”