Re Evans slowness then speed:

Perhaps his tyre issues on the Friday, especially the morning, were due to his off into Ogier's ditch. He really struggled and scrambled out himself whereas Ogier waited for fan help. Perhaps this weakened/lost the studs and therefore his grip on the remaining stage/s..

His good times later on in the rally were on the Soft/ Supersofts, not studded. The other runners were also on similar (Michelin) tyres so his wins there were fair and square.