Elfyn Evans changed stalls from M-Sport Ford to Toyota for this year's season and immediately showed in the World Cup premiere that he will be counting this year. The third place in Monte Carlo made Evans mentioned in the advance talk for the Swedish rally - but that he would win not many people had anticipated in advance.

Elfyn Evans won the Swedish rally in 2020. Photo: TT

However, Evans immediately tied the grip in the greatly shortened World Cup rally and had the lead from start to finish.

Facing Sunday's only stretch, the powerstage, the British led by 16.9 seconds ahead of last year's winner in Sweden and the reigning world champion Ott Tänak.

Stayed cold

Evans made sure to keep his nerves in check and secured the second victory of his life in the WRC class, the first coming at home in Wales 2017.

When he finished on the Likenäs stretch, he finally separated 12.7 seconds down to Tänak.

Rovanperä impressed

Trea became the super-tall Kalle Rovanperä, 19, who drove past Sébastien Ogier on the final stretch and was able to secure the first podium of his life in the WRC class - in his only second start.

Rovanperä was also the fastest on the powerstage, giving the Finn five extra World Cup points.

- I gave everything I had, says Rovanperä in SVT's broadcast.