The sport is awash with talk of ‘transfer speculation’, as the brands settle their line-ups for 2017, when the new rules on car design come into play.
“It would be foolish to let a guy go with Elfyn’s experience,” says Mills, the 2003 World Champion co-driver with Petter Solberg. “He is very underestimated and has so much to offer. It would be a waste of talent if he didn’t have a topline drive next season.”
Evans, says Mills, scores on so many levels, with podium success at World Championship level, two full seasons of knowledge from the WRC and potentially a winning season in the British Rally Championship this year.
Interestingly, with next year’s breed of WRC machines about to produce the most powerful car in generations, teams will need drivers that can handle a car that is quicker and more aerodynamically dependent than ever before.
“Elfyn would be a huge asset to a team next year,” believes Mills. “He would be the perfect test driver; his ability to set up a rally car propels him to the front of the queue of people chasing seats.”
Citroen boss Yves Matton holds the key to next year’s driver line-up. He is keen to finalise his plans in September.
Speculation continues that he will sign Thierry Neuville from Hyundai. Once Citroen have made their move, the line up at Toyota will become clear as they prepare to make their return to the World Championship.