Welsh driver Elfyn Evans began the deciding round of the 2026 World Rally Championship with third place on Thursday's opening stage in Sardinia. Oliver Solberg was fastest, putting another of Toyota's three title contenders at the front after the first competitive test on 1 October.
These are the opening-stage results, rather than the rally's live standings. Toyota's report put Solberg 0.8 seconds ahead of Sébastien Ogier, with Evans 1.1 seconds behind the leader and Sami Pajari fourth, a further 0.4 seconds back.
The championship position entering the rally
Evans arrived with a 17-point championship advantage over Pajari and a 21-point margin over Solberg. Motorsport UK's preview identified 35 points available at the final round, so the opening stage could not settle the title.
The British interest extends to the co-drivers. Scott Martin partners Evans, while Elliott Edmondson competes alongside Solberg. Motorsport UK identifies all three British competitors as alumni of its Academy programme.
A drivers' championship for Evans would make him the third British winner, after Colin McRae in 1995 and Richard Burns in 2001. That remains an outcome to be decided; Thursday's times were only the first step in the contest.
Loose gravel sets the challenge
Toyota's opening-day account reported dry, loose conditions despite the rally's later date. Evans faced running first on the road on Friday, where clearing loose gravel can disadvantage the opening car. His championship margin and that road position were therefore distinct parts of the challenge as the crews moved into the longer stages.
