Welsh driver Elfyn Evans and English co-driver Scott Martin emerged from Rally Italia Sardegna on Sunday 4 October as the 2026 World Rally Championship title winners. The championship's announcement remains subject to FIA confirmation of the results.
Toyota Gazoo Racing identifies Evans as the first Welsh driver to win the drivers' crown and Martin as the first English winner of the co-drivers' title. WRC's report also places Evans as Britain's first drivers' champion since Richard Burns in 2001.
A title decided on the final stage
Toyota reports that Evans faced the disadvantage of opening the gravel roads on Friday and ended that day sixth. The title contest remained open into Sunday's final stages.
The decisive setback came on Sunday's second pass through Osilo–Tergu. A front-right puncture forced Evans and Martin to stop and change a wheel, costing nearly two minutes. They retained fifth overall but fell out of the positions earning separate Sunday bonus points.
That made the final Power Stage crucial. WRC reports that Solberg was quicker than Evans approaching the finish of the 7.10 km Sassari–Argentiera test, before sliding into sand in the closing corners. He recovered, but the lost time changed the outcome of the championship contest.
Rally victory and season honours split
Solberg and Elliott Edmondson still won the rally. WRC's Sunday report records a 57.6-second margin over Sébastien Ogier and Vincent Landais, with Pajari and Marko Salminen completing a Toyota podium sweep. Adrien Fourmaux finished fourth and Evans fifth.
Toyota's provisional season totals after the 4 October finale put Evans on 243 points, Solberg on 238 and Pajari on 237. These are the reported standings after Sardinia, rather than live stage positions, and remain subject to the championship's stated FIA confirmation caveat.
For Evans, the result follows five runner-up finishes in the previous six seasons with Toyota. His 2026 victories in Sweden and Japan contributed to a campaign whose final reward came despite the puncture at Sardinia. The rally win went to Solberg; the provisional season titles went to Evans and Martin.