Evans waits for Solberg to finish

At three zero five pm local time in Sardinia on Sunday, Elfyn Evans stood watching as Oliver Solberg approached the finish line, preparing for what would be his sixth runners-up speech.

Solberg crashes with victory in sight

At three zero six pm, with just two turns to go on the final stage and victory in sight, Oliver Solberg careered off the track into the Sardinian sand, handing Evans his first world title.

Evans joins McRae and Burns

The thirty seven year old from north Wales became the first British winner of the World Rally Championship in twenty five years, joining Colin McRae who won in nineteen ninety five and Richard Burns in two thousand one.

Evans reflects on dramatic finish

Evans said it would not be his proudest way of winning but it was job done. His co-driver Scott Martin revealed Evans was already apologising for his stage performance as they waited for Solberg to finish.

“It wouldn't by my proudest way of winning it, but it's job done.”

Evans held twenty one point lead

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin took a twenty one point lead into the final race at Rally Italia Sardegna despite winning only two of the previous twelve events across Monaco, Sweden, Chile and southern Europe.

Evans shows sympathy for Solberg

Evans said he felt for Solberg after he came so close and lost at the last moment, noting he had been in a similar situation and it would be tough for him for a few days.

“I feel for [Solberg] after he came so close and lost at the last moment. I've been in a similar situation and it will be tough for him for a few days, but he's shown he's one to watch for the future.”

Five runner-up finishes before glory

Evans had finished second for the title in two thousand twenty, two thousand twenty one, two thousand twenty three, two thousand twenty four and two thousand twenty five, losing to Sebastien Ogier by just four points in the final race of twenty twenty five.