Evans won seven of the day’s eight stages to open up a 32.1s lead over Hyundai WRC title rival Thierry Neuville, with four stages remaining on Sunday.
The highlight was a stunning effort in stage 15 where he was 7.8s faster than rival Neuville across 18.94 kilometres of slippery gravel roads.
Evans has shown strong pace throughout the rally to match the performance of rally favourite and Friday’s leader Kalle Rovanpera, before the world champion exited the rally following a spectacular roll on stage eight.
The Welshman has, however, openly admitted that it has taken time to adjust Rally1 hybrid machinery since they were introduced last year, after finishing runner-up in the championship in 2020 and 2021, driving the previous generation WRC cars.
After finishing 2022 without a victory, the 34-year-old has delivered much stronger results this season, ending his victory drought in Croatia in April.
While admitting it is difficult to judge his pace with Rovanpera, M-Sport’s Ott Tanak and Hyundai’s Esapekka Lappi having retired from this weekend’s rally, he feels Saturday could be his best showing in a Rally1 car to date.
“Possibly [it is my best day in Rally1 car], it is a bit hard to judge obviously with half the cars missing," Evans, who won Rally Finland in 2021, told Autosport.
“It is hard to really judge how quick we really are going, but still even when I compare to yesterday I think I have driven a bit better, especially this morning.
Source: Autosport