Wales' Elfyn Evans wins his first World Rally Championship
Welsh driver Elfyn Evans has won his first World Rally Championship title after a dramatic final stage crash by rival Oliver Solberg. Evans is the first British driver to win the title in 25 years.
Why it matters
This victory marks a historic milestone in British motorsport and concludes a highly competitive 2026 WRC season.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin won just two of 13 races in the 2026 WRC season
Five-time runner-up Elfyn Evans is world champion for the first time after rival Oliver Solberg crashed in a dramatic finish to the Rally Italia Sardegna.
Sweden's Solberg was on course to snatch the lead on the final stage of the last round of the World Rally Championship (WRC) when he crashed with less than 100 metres to go.
"It hasn't sunk in," said a shocked Evans, who became the first British world champion in 25 years.
"I was sure it was over. I feel for Oliver, he had an incredible weekend. I don't know what to say."
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.
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