In one of the most astonishing climaxes in World Rally Championship history, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin have clinched the 2026 WRC drivers’ and co-drivers’ titles in Sardinia, despite Oliver Solberg winning the rally.
Going into the Sassari-Argentiera Powerstage, the two Toyota contenders were separated by virtually a single point. Solberg looked destined for his maiden championship, leading Evans by 1.9 seconds with just 1.2 kilometers to run. However, heartbreak struck just two corners from the flying finish when the Swede slid off into the coastal sand dunes.
Although Solberg rejoined the road to secure the overall rally victory by 57.6 seconds over Sébastien Ogier, he crossed the stage line 14.5 seconds behind stage winner Thierry Neuville and nearly nine seconds adrift of Evans. Leaving the Powerstage empty-handed, Solberg fell five points short of the title, handing the championship to the Welshman.
“I don’t think it has quite sunk in yet,” Evans admitted. “I was convinced it was over. I feel terribly for Oliver; he had an incredible weekend and to lose it so close to the finish is devastating.”
Sami Pajari completed a Toyota 1-2-3 on the rally podium (+1:37.4) and took third in the final championship standings. Adrien Fourmaux finished fourth (+2:38.6), while newly crowned champion Evans secured fifth overall (+4:48.1).
In the WRC2 category, Finland’s Roope Korhonen held on to claim victory by a razor-thin 0.7-second margin ahead of Estonia’s Robert Virves, with the pair finishing eighth and ninth overall.