From BBC Sport · · 2m
Evans wins WRC title as Solberg crashes on final stage
Elfyn Evans becomes Britain's first world rally champion in 25 years after rival Oliver Solberg crashes metres from the finish in Italy.
In brief
Elfyn Evans becomes Britain's first world rally champion in 25 years after rival Oliver Solberg crashes metres from the finish in Italy. Elfyn Evans won the World Rally Championship after Oliver Solberg crashed on the final stage in Italy, making Evans Britain's first champion in 25 years. Originally reported by BBC…
Evans crowned champion in dramatic finish
Elfyn Evans became Britain's first world rally champion for 25 years after rival Oliver Solberg crashed on the final stage of Rally Italia Sardegna in Italy.
Solberg was on course to steal the title
Sweden's Solberg needed only to beat his Toyota team-mate on the final stage to claim enough bonuses to become champion, but he lost control with a few hundred metres to go.
Evans had led most of the season
The 37-year-old and co-driver Scott Martin had led for much of the 2026 season and took a 21-point advantage into the final round in Sardinia, but that gap had shrunk to just one point.
Solberg was closing fast on the final stage
With barely a kilometre to run, Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson were one point nine seconds up on Evans and closing at speed on the championship before the crash.
Evans reflects on the shock victory
Evans said: "I was sure it was over. I feel for Oliver - he had an incredible weekend. I don't know what to say." He added it would not be his proudest way of winning.
“I was sure it was over. I feel for Oliver - he had an incredible weekend.”
Solberg's emotional reaction to the crash
An inconsolable Solberg remained in his car for some time before being encouraged to the podium. He said: "Two corners, two corners. I tried everything. I couldn't save the car."
“Two corners, two corners. I tried everything. I couldn't save the car.”
Evans ends years of near misses
Evans becomes only the third British man to win the WRC title after Colin McRae in 1995 and Richard Burns in 2001. He had previously missed out on the title on the final day three times.
Armstrong finishes strong rookie season
Jon Armstrong, competing in his first full season at the top level, produced his best result when finishing seventh at Rally Italia Sardegna. The M-Sport Ford driver said it was a privilege to drive the car.
Final championship standings confirmed
Elfyn Evans finished with 243 points, Oliver Solberg with 238, and Sami Pajari with 237. The 2026 WRC season was reduced to 13 rounds when the Saudi Arabia event was cancelled due to ongoing unrest.
The short version
Elfyn Evans won the World Rally Championship after Oliver Solberg crashed on the final stage in Italy, making Evans Britain's first champion in 25 years.
