ELFYN Evans produced a superb performance to ensure that M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC secured a double podium at RallyRACC Catalunya – Rally de España.

Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia missed out on victory by a mere 2.9 seconds to Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena in the Citroen C3 WRC, but Evans and co-driver Daniel Barritt secured third on the podium by a tantalising 0.5 seconds.

It was Evans’ second podium finish of the year, and the British pairing were fighting at the sharp end on both gravel and asphalt.

They were part of an intense six-way battle for the win going into the final day of competition, and embarking on the final four stages of the rally, Evans and Barritt were just 1.8 seconds off the podium.

Evans leapfrogged Thierry Neuville on the final stage, after the Belgian hit a rock in his Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT i20 WRC, to beat the title contender by just 0.5 seconds and finish just 16.5 seconds behind winner Sébastien Loeb.

“We came here to secure a good result and that’s what we got,” said the 29 year-old, from Dinas Mawddwy.

“The speed has been up there for the past few rallies now, but for various reasons we’ve come away empty-handed. It’s good to finally see that speed rewarded, and to show that we had the pace on both surfaces here in Spain.”

M-Sport Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, added: “It’s been a great weekend for the team with another double podium for the Fiesta, and Sébastien and Julien also retaking the lead of the Championship.

“This one really is going down to the wire, and we’re going to see a thrilling finale in Australia. We’re enjoying a fantastic era in the sport and the true winners have got to be the fans!

“The conditions were really challenging, but Sébastien and Julien held their own – overcoming the disadvantage of their road position on gravel and pushing to the maximum when the action turned to Tarmac. We didn’t get the tyre choices 100 per cent right this weekend, but they pushed hard regardless and were rewarded with another great result.

“Elfyn too delivered a really strong performance.

“He and Dan were competitive on all surfaces and were challenging right at the sharp end – taking a well-deserved podium at the end of the rally which was just what he needed.”

Evans will now gear up for the next event, which is the season-closing Kennards Hire Rally Australia, the final round of the 2018 FIA World Rally Championship, which takes place between November 15-18.