Elfyn Evans Secures First World Rally Championship Title After Rival's Dramatic Late Crash

Five-time runner-up Elfyn Evans has won his first World Rally Championship (WRC) title following a late crash by rival Oliver Solberg at the Rally Italia Sardegna. Solberg, who was on course to potentially take the championship lead, crashed with less than 100 meters remaining on the final stage of the event.

"It hasn't sunk in," said a visibly shocked Evans, becoming the first Welshman to achieve this motorsport honor. "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 British driver had held a consistent lead throughout much of the 2026 season, entering the Sardinia finale with a 21-point advantage. However, this gap narrowed to a single point before the start of the final stage.

Solberg, 25, needed to finish ahead of Evans in the last stage to secure enough bonus points to clinch the championship. His hopes ended abruptly when he went off the road just two corners from the finish line.

Evans joins an elite group of British WRC champions, following in the footsteps of Colin McRae, who won in 1997, and Richard Burns, the champion in 2001.

In the Rally Italia Sardegna results, Oliver Solberg (Sweden) finished first, followed by Sebastien Ogier (France) and Sami Pajari (Finland). Elfyn Evans finished fifth in the rally itself, but his points total secured the championship.

At the conclusion of the season, Elfyn Evans amassed 243 points. Oliver Solberg finished second in the championship standings with 238 points, and Sami Pajari was third with 237 points. Sebastien Ogier and Adrien Formaux rounded out the top five.