Elfyn Evans Crowned WRC World Champion After Dramatic Rally Italia Sardegna Finale

Sardegna, Italy, October 5, 2026: Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin have been crowned FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) champions for the first time after an extraordinary Rally Italia Sardegna finale went down to the final corners of the season.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing duo finally ended years of near-misses to secure the 2026 WRC Drivers’ Championship, with Evans becoming the first British driver to win the world rally title since Richard Burns in 2001.

The championship was decided in dramatic fashion on the final Wolf Power Stage. Evans arrived at the 7.10km Sassari–Argentiera stage knowing that his title fight with Oliver Solberg had effectively become a straight shootout.

Evans had lost valuable ground on the preceding Osilo–Tergu stage after suffering a front-right puncture and stopping to change the wheel. With his Super Sunday points opportunity gone, the Welshman had to rely on his overall championship position heading into the final test.

Evans completed his Power Stage run first, but Solberg responded with a determined attack. The Swedish driver was 1.9 seconds ahead of Evans’ time with just over a kilometre remaining and appeared to be on course to overturn the championship deficit.

However, the title battle took one final dramatic turn just a handful of corners from the finish. Solberg slid wide and went off into the sand. Although he managed to recover and complete the stage, the time lost proved decisive.

Evans therefore secured the championship by just five points, finishing the 2026 season on 243 points compared with Solberg’s 238.

“I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet,” said Evans after securing the title. “I was quite sure that it was over. I didn’t drive the best stage. I threw everything at it, but it wasn’t clean.”

Evans also expressed sympathy for Solberg after the late incident.

“I feel sorry for Oliver as well – he did an incredible weekend, and I’m sorry for him to lose it so close to the finish there,” he added.

The championship success represents the culmination of a long journey for Evans and Martin. The Welshman had previously finished as championship runner-up five times and had twice arrived at the season finale leading the standings, only to miss out on the ultimate prize.

The 2026 season once again tested Evans’ resilience. He led the championship for much of the campaign before his advantage was gradually eroded during the second half of the season. Road-cleaning duties also left him on the back foot for much of Rally Italia Sardegna.

Despite those setbacks, Evans and Martin remained in contention until the final stage, where Solberg’s late mistake ultimately handed the Toyota crew their long-awaited world title.

WRC Promoter CEO Éric Boullier praised the new champions for their perseverance.

“Elfyn and Scott have shown incredible resilience throughout this championship. They have come close before, but they kept working, kept believing and kept delivering when the pressure was highest,” said Boullier.

“Becoming WRC champions today is a hugely deserved reward for that perseverance.”

WRC Promoter Chief Operating Officer Julien Vial also highlighted the significance of Evans and Martin’s achievement.

“This is a wonderful moment for Elfyn, Scott and everyone who has supported them on this journey,” said Vial.

“Their story is a reminder that you have to keep daring to dream, even after disappointment. To finally reach this moment makes the achievement even more special.”

Solberg Dominates Rally Italia Sardegna

While Evans secured the championship, it was Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson who dominated the rally itself.

The Toyota Gazoo Racing crew delivered an outstanding weekend in their GR Yaris Rally1 to win Rally Italia Sardegna by 57.8 seconds over fellow Toyota drivers Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais.

Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen completed an all-Toyota podium, finishing third at 1 minute 48.6 seconds behind Solberg.

Adrien Fourmaux and Alexandre Coria brought their Hyundai i20 N Rally1 home in fourth, while Evans and Martin finished fifth overall.

Takamoto Katsuta and Jon Armstrong completed the leading Rally1 finishers in sixth.

Despite missing out on the Drivers’ Championship, Solberg’s victory underlined the pace he and Edmondson have shown during their campaign. His late Power Stage error proved costly in the title fight, but his rally win capped a superb weekend for the Toyota driver.

Toyota also secured the 2026 WRC Manufacturers’ Championship, finishing the season with 662 points, comfortably ahead of Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team on 440 points.

Rally Italia Sardegna Classification

1. Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson (SWE) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – 3h 19m 48.3s
2. Sébastien Ogier / Vincent Landais (FRA) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +57.8s
3. Sami Pajari / Marko Salminen (FIN) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +1m 48.6s
4. Adrien Fourmaux / Alexandre Coria (FRA) – Hyundai i20 N Rally1 – +2m 45.4s
5. Elfyn Evans / Scott Martin (GBR) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +4m 57.0s
6. Takamoto Katsuta / Jon Armstrong (JPN) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 – +6m 09.4s

2026 WRC Drivers’ Championship Standings

1. Elfyn Evans – 243 points
2. Oliver Solberg – 238 points
3. Sami Pajari – 237 points

2026 WRC Manufacturers’ Championship Standings

1. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT – 662 points
2. Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT – 440 points
3. Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT2 – 251 points

Results remain subject to FIA confirmation.

With the championship finally secured, Evans and Martin’s 2026 triumph marks one of the most dramatic title victories in recent WRC history. After five runner-up finishes, the Toyota crew finally delivered when it mattered most – although the championship was not decided until the final few corners of the season.