World Rally Championship fans learn the 2026 title battle will finish in Sardinia after FIA cancels the Saudi Arabia event.
Saudi Arabia Cancellation Leaves WRC Finale in Sardinia
The season now ends a round early, with the final rally moved from the planned 11‑14 November Saudi Arabia dates to a gravel showdown in Sardinia. The decision was driven by ongoing conflict in the Middle East, and WRC organisers chose not to add a replacement sprint.
Comments from FIA chief Eric Boullier stressed that the safety and integrity of the championship were paramount. “It wasn’t a matter of right or wrong,” he said. “It was a statement about safety and about offering close to the proper conditions for a WRC round.”
Team principal Rich Millener of M‑Sport‑Ford echoed the sentiment, noting that a hastily assembled substitute could not match WRC standards. “We respect the decision and press on in Sardinia,” he explained.
Evans Remains Favorite Amid 35‑Point Fight
Elfyn Evans now carries a 17‑point advantage over Toyota co‑driver Sami Pajari, with Rally Chile winner Oliver Solberg 21 points behind. The last-round sprint still offers 35 points on gravel, meaning the title race remains far from decided.
Evans said the new circumstances do not change the “sporting side”—there is still one round to play. “Cruising around is definitely not an option,” he cautioned, citing his earlier experience in 2020 when a 14‑point advantage went cold at Monza.
He clarified that he would have welcomed a replacement if it had been feasible, but “it was impossible this time.” The driver emphasized that the focus must stay on the rally itself, not the running order of the championship.
Championship Stakeholder Reactions
Formula One legend Charles Bios, who sits on WRC’s executive board, welcomed the safety-driven decision. “People can address disappointment, but the cancellation was correct in terms of overall safety and fairness for everyone involved,” he told reporters.
Technical teams across the grid noted that Sardinia’s gravel would be the perfect proving ground for tyre and suspension setups, further intensifying the final leg of the championship. With each driver’s margin at stake, the 2026 WRC title race climbs back onto a razor‑thin razor.
"