Elfyn Evans wins first WRC title after Solberg crashes near Sardinia finish

Elfyn Evans has won his first World Rally Championship title after Oliver Solberg crashed close to the finish of the season-ending Rally Italia Sardegna. According to BBC Sport, the Swede was fewer than 100 metres from completing the final stage when the accident cost him the bonus points he needed to overtake Evans in the championship.

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Evans, 37, became the first Welsh world champion after finishing runner-up five times. The Toyota driver from Dolgellau entered the last round with a 21-point advantage, but that cushion had fallen to one point before the final stage. Solberg needed to beat him over that concluding test to secure enough bonuses to take the title.

The decisive crash came two corners from the finish of the rally's 17th stage. BBC Sport reported that Solberg had been on course to win the stage and collect a maximum 35 points for the weekend, which would have made him champion by two points. Instead, Evans ended the season on 243 points, with Solberg on 238 and Sami Pajari third on 237.

Despite the accident, Solberg retained victory in the rally itself. His winning time was three hours, 24 minutes and 57 seconds, putting him 57.6 seconds ahead of Sebastien Ogier. Pajari completed a Toyota sweep of the podium, one minute and 37.4 seconds behind the winner. Evans finished fifth, four minutes and 48.1 seconds off Solberg's time, behind Hyundai's Adrien Formaux.

Evans and co-driver Scott Martin won two rallies across the 13-round season. Evans had previously lost out on the final day on three occasions, including in 2020 and 2025, when he carried a championship lead into the closing event before Ogier prevailed. Speaking after this latest finish, Evans expressed disbelief and sympathy for Solberg, describing the outcome as a relief.

BBC Sport reported that Solberg remained in his car after the stage before Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala and Ogier encouraged him to join the podium. Toyota sporting director Kaj Lindstrom acknowledged the contrasting emotions within the team, expressing happiness that Evans had finally secured the championship while recognising Solberg's effort in the title fight.