Elfyn Evans is returning to the FIA World Rally Championship with M-Sport in 2017 – a globe-trotting title race which blasts off high in the Alps behind Monte Carlo tomorrow.

The 28-year-old Welshman, from Dolgellau, missed out on a top class WRC drive last year after two promising and progressive seasons which netted impressive podium finishes in both Argentina and Corsica.

Instead, a slightly miffed Evans found himself demoted to the WRC2 international category and contesting the MSA British Rally Championship in a less powerful Fiesta R5.

Despite winning his domestic title and coming within a hair’s breadth of taking the 2016 WRC2 crown, he headed into the winter with his future looking uncertain.

Then, after a lot of hard work behind the scenes, the announcement came that he’d been hoping for – Elfyn would return to top-flight competition with the DMACK World Rally Team, driving the third points-nominated Ford Fiesta WRC for the M-Sport squad alongside Ott Tänak and four-time world champion Sébastien Ogier in 2017.

The new season sees the biggest overhaul of the rally regulations in 30 years with the introduction of an exciting new generation of more powerful, wider and more extreme looking cars.

Evans said: “Obviously, it’s a really exciting time for us.

"A lot of work and effort has gone into getting us into a position where we could come back. But to finally get the nod is very exciting, and we’re really looking forward to it.

“There were a few things that needed to change, and I think we’ve shown that we can step up and do that.

"I think that that’s what Malcolm [Wilson, Managing Director] was looking for more than anything, but I think as a driver, he’s always had belief in me."

“Taking it back to realising why you go rallying was probably the biggest lesson. Enjoying the sport for what it is," Evans added.

"I think it’s easy to get caught up in distractions or taking a few things for granted when you’re in the mad world that is the WRC and you’re going from event to event without taking time to breathe, almost.

“It’s good to pinch yourself on the arm and realise what an opportunity it is to be driving in the World Championship and really try and enjoy the driving again, because that’s ultimately what brings results.

“I think this sport is so dependent on having experience, both of the rallies and driving the car, but also on life experience.

"I think that gaining a combination of the two over the years has made us a lot stronger.

"Working with DMACK last year on the British Rally Championship, we know how much progress they’re making and obviously we want to keep making progress."

“The car is all-new from the ground up, that’s the first big thing," said Evans, ahead of the shake-up in rally regulations this year.

"Everything from the seating position to the feeling and feedback you get from the car is different. M-Sport have just done an incredible job.

"It’s a lot, lot faster, but it just copes with that extra speed and power so well at the same time. All the aerodynamics and the work they’ve done on the chassis is phenomenal.

"It’s just a massive jump and improvement in every area, not just the obvious power changes.

“I think generally, if someone was strong last year, they’ll be strong this year.

"The previous car needed driving, and certainly this car needs driving too.”