Elfyn Evans conquered the driving snow of Rally Sweden on Friday to edge ahead of a group of five drivers separated by less than 10 seconds.
Evans, the 2024 world championship runner-up, led in his Toyota from Japanese teammate Takamoto Katsuta and Estonia's 2019 champion Ott Tanak of Hyundai.
The lead changes hands again 🔁
— FIA World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) February 14, 2025
Evans leads by 0.6sec from Katsuta overnight. Tänak is third, 1.9sec further back.#WRC | #RallySweden 🇸🇪 pic.twitter.com/rc9FdTPcFt
Defending world champion Thierry Neuville of Hyundai was fifth just behind French driver Adrien Fourmaux in another Hyundai.
Welsh star Evans was in the lead for a long time on Friday before Katsuta briefly grabbed the advantage on stage five.
Evans and Tanak then took over top spot before the Toyota man ended the day back in prime position.
Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera, in another Toyota, endured a testing day.
The Finnish driver ended up more than 25 seconds off the pace.