Rally Sweden 2025 - Friday

Elfyn Evans emerged from a thrilling Friday at Rally Sweden with a slender lead, as an intense battle at the top saw just 9.1 seconds covering the leading five drivers.

The FIA World Rally Championship's only pure snow rally delivered a day of fluctuating fortunes, with multiple lead changes across the seven snow and ice-laden speed tests. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 driver Evans set the early pace and led at midday service, but as conditions evolved, so did the leaderboard.

Takamoto Katsuta briefly hit the front on SS5 before Evans responded immediately to reclaim the top spot. Then, as darkness fell over the Bäck stage, Ott Tänak edged ahead - only to lose his advantage on the final Umeå Sprint test as worn tyres cost him valuable time. Evans seized the opportunity, clocking the fastest time to move back into the lead once more.

Katsuta's strong pace kept him within just 0.6sec of his Toyota team-mate, while Tänak slipped to third, 2.5sec off the lead.

Adrien Fourmaux was one of the standout performers in the morning, winning two stages and running as high as second. His momentum slowed slightly in the afternoon, but the Frenchman still ended the day a strong fourth, just 5.4sec behind Hyundai i20 N Rally1 colleague Tänak. A stall on SS5 – at the same tricky corner that caught out Kalle Rovanperäand Josh McErlean - was his biggest setback.

Defending champion Thierry Neuville endured a frustrating start, struggling with understeer, but found his rhythm later in the day. A stage win helped him claw back some time, and he completed the leg 9.1sec down on Evans in fifth overall.