Elfyn Evans becomes the first British WRC champion since 2001

Welsh driver Elfyn Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin secured their first WRC world championship titles at the season-ending Rally Italia in Sardinia, which concluded on October 5, 2026. Entering the final event with a 21-point lead over Oliver Solberg, Evans navigated a challenging weekend. Despite facing a disadvantage as the first car on the road during the sandy stages and experiencing a late-race tire puncture, his performance was sufficient to seal the championship.

Oliver Solberg, driving for Toyota alongside Evans, won the Sardinia rally and finished second in the overall standings. The title victory marks a historic moment for British motorsport, as Evans becomes the first British champion since Richard Burns in 2001 and only the third in history after Burns and Colin McRae. Sources note that the competition intensified during the final stages, with the outcome being decided only during the closing Power Stage of the season.