WRC: Elfyn Evans becomes world champion after late Oliver Solberg crash
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Evans claims dramatic WRC title after Solberg crash
Image source: Getty Images
Image caption: Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin won just two of 13 races in the 2026 WRC season
Published 2 hours ago
Five-time runner-up Elfyn Evans is world champion for the first time after rival Oliver Solberg crashed in a dramatic finish to the Rally Italia Sardegna.
Sweden's Solberg was on course to snatch the lead on the final stage of the last round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) when he crashed with less than 100 metres to go.
"It hasn't sunk in," said a shocked Evans. "[I was] sure it was over. I feel for Oliver, he had an incredible weekend. I don't know what to say."
The 37-year-old and co-driver Scott Martin had led for much of the 2026 season and took a 21-point advantage into the final round in Sardinia. But that gap had shrunk to a solitary point by the time the drivers lined up for the last of 17 stages.
Solberg, whose father Petter won the WRC title in 2003, won the rally by almost a minute ahead of nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier. He and English co-driver Elliott Edmondson were also on course to win the final stage and collect a maximum 35 points for the weekend to take the title by two points. However, his crash meant he finished five points behind Evans in the overall standings.
A third Toyota driver, Sami Pajari, finished a further one point behind in third - having seen his own title challenge evaporate on the final weekend.
An inconsolable Solberg remained in his car for some time at the end of the stage before being encouraged to take to the podium by Gazoo Racing team principal Jari-Matti Latvala and team-mate Ogier.
"Two corners, two corners," said an emotional Solberg. "First congratulations to Elfyn, he has been very consistent all season. That I even had a shot after my rollercoaster of a season is incredible. I tried everything. I knew I was pushing but didn't know if it was enough. I pushed even more and I couldn't save the car. I tried my very best."
Evans, from Dolgellau in north Wales, had previously missed out on the title on the final day three times and in two of those seasons he had taken a lead into the concluding rally before losing out to Ogier in 2020 and 2025.
"I don't really know what my reaction is. It's surreal with how it happened. It's a relief," he said. "It wouldn't by my proudest way of winning it, but it's job done."
For Toyota sporting director Kaj Lindstrom there were mixed feelings.
"That was the hardest thing," he said. "The ending was quite something, I didn't expect it."