Elfyn Evans is finally a world champion. But let me tell you, the way he got it? Absolutely wild. Five-time runner-up Evans clinched his first World Rally Championship title after his rival, Oliver Solberg, crashed out in the final stage of the Rally Italia Sardegna with less than 100 meters to go. This finish was pure, unadulterated drama, the kind that makes you scream at your screen.
The Heartbreak and the History
Evans, the 37-year-old from Wales, had led for much of the 2026 WRC season, taking a solid 21-point advantage into the final round in Sardinia. But somehow, by the time drivers lined up for the last of 17 stages, that lead had shrunk to a single, solitary point. Talk about feeling the pressure. For Evans, this had to bring back some truly painful memories. He’d missed out on the title on the final day three times before, even losing out to Sebastien Ogier in 2020 and 2025 after going into the final rally with the lead.
This time, it was Oliver Solberg, just 25, who was the immediate threat. All Solberg needed to do was beat Evans in that final stage, and the bonus points would crown him champion. He was on course, absolutely flying, set to win the final stage and collect a maximum 35 points for the weekend, which would have given him the title by two points. But then, it happened. Two corners from the finish, with less than 100 meters to go, Solberg crashed. Can you believe it? The championship, gone in an instant. What an absolute gut-punch for Solberg, who had an incredible weekend, even winning the Rally Italia Sardegna itself by almost a minute ahead of nine-time world champion Sebastien Ogier. He ended up five points behind Evans in the overall standings, while Sami Pajari, another Toyota driver, finished a point behind Solberg for third overall. His own title challenge had evaporated on the final weekend.
“It Hasn’t Sunk In”: Evans’s Surreal Victory
After everything, Evans, with co-driver Scott Martin, is finally a world champion. He’s the first British world champion in 25 years, joining legends like Colin McRae in 1997 and Richard Burns in 2001. But his reaction sums it up: “It hasn’t sunk in. I was sure it was over. I feel for Oliver, he had an incredible weekend. I don’t know what to say.” Later, he admitted, “I don’t really know what my reaction is. It’s surreal with how it happened. It’s a relief,” adding, “It wouldn’t by my proudest way of winning it, but it’s job done.”
You can practically feel the mixed emotions. Even Toyota sporting director Kaj Lindstrom described it as “the hardest thing,” saying, “The ending was quite something, I didn’t expect it.” While acknowledging Solberg’s potential, Lindstrom added, “Oliver still has time but Elfyn finally got his title so we’re really happy for him.” Poor Solberg was so inconsolable he stayed in his car for a while at the end of the stage, needing encouragement from his team principal Jari-Matti Latvala and teammate Ogier just to take to the podium. This wasn’t the storybook ending either driver would have scripted, but it’s one that will be talked about for years.
What a wild conclusion to the 2026 WRC season, which was shortened to 13 rounds after the Saudi Arabia event was cancelled. Elfyn Evans finally has his title, but in a way nobody, especially Solberg, will ever forget.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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