British driver Elfyn Evans has been crowned the FIA World Rally Champion after a thrilling conclusion to Rally Italia Sardegna. Evans, driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, secured the title with his co-driver Scott Martin. This victory marks Evans' first WRC championship, ending his streak of five runner-up finishes. The 37-year-old driver finished the season with 243 points, five points clear of fellow Toyota driver Oliver Solberg.
Evans' championship win is significant as he becomes the first British WRC drivers' champion since Richard Burns in 2001. He is only the third Briton to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of Colin McRae and Burns. Evans' journey to the championship was built over 13 rallies, with a consistent performance that saw him collect valuable points. His victories and podiums played a crucial role in securing the title.
Evans did not start the 2026 season dominantly, finishing second at Rallye Monte-Carlo behind his Toyota team-mate Oliver Solberg. However, he bounced back at the next event in Sweden, taking victory and moving to the top of the championship. This set the tone for his season, where he consistently found ways to collect points. Evans' ability to win without taking unnecessary risks was a key factor in his championship win.
The Safari Rally Kenya and Croatia Rally presented Evans with difficult weekends, but he managed to avoid letting setbacks derail his championship campaign. He returned to the podium with second place at Rally Islas Canarias and added another podium in Portugal. Evans' victory at Rally Japan was one of the defining performances of his season, leading a Toyota 1-2-3-4 finish and extending his championship advantage.
As the season entered its second half, Evans faced pressure from his rivals, including Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg. Pajari went on a spectacular run, winning three consecutive rallies, while Solberg remained within striking distance. Evans' advantage was reduced to 20 points by the time the championship reached Chile. However, he refused to let the pressure define his campaign, consistently searching for points.
The final round of the championship, Rally Italia Sardegna, was dramatic, with all three Toyota drivers still having a mathematical chance of becoming world champion. Evans needed to score 19 points to guarantee the title, but a puncture on the penultimate stage forced him to stop and change the wheel, costing him around two minutes. The championship was then decided on the final Wolf Power Stage, where Evans and Solberg went head-to-head.
In a stunning turn of events, Solberg crashed on the final stage, losing crucial bonus points and handing Evans the championship. Evans completed his final run first, securing the title. This victory marks a significant milestone in Evans' career, ending his long wait for a WRC title.
Key points
- Evans becomes the first British WRC drivers' champion since Richard Burns in 2001.
- Evans wins the championship with 243 points, five points clear of Oliver Solberg.
- The championship was decided on the final Wolf Power Stage, where Solberg crashed, handing Evans the title.
