Championship Climax at Sardinia
Elfyn Evans clinched Britain’s first World Rally Championship title in 25 years following a nail‑biting final stage at Rally Sardinia.
Having started from first on the Friday road, Evans ran a sluggish Sunday following a puncture on the penultimate stage, which realigned the championship battle in Oliver Solberg’s favour.
Puncture, Penalty and Perseverance
The tyre burst left Evans trailing Solberg by a wide margin, but the veteran’s co‑driver Scott Martin remained focused, knowing the final Power Stage would decide the destiny.
Despite the setback, Evans pushed hard on the last stage, but felt his effort fell short until Solberg, hurt by a stray bony dike, veered off track and collapsed a corner from the finish line.
Emotions on the Edge of Victory
“It is a bit of relief, bit of happiness, bit of joy,” Evans said to Motorsport.com, calling the afternoon surreal after years of five runner‑up finishes from 2020 to 2025.
He added that the puncture in Chile and the last‑stage mishap were unlucky, and that as a self‑critical racer he had little pride in the event’s final time.
Co‑driver’s Perspective and Quiet Respect
Scott Martin, now England’s first WRC co‑driver champion, described the finish as a long‑time dream and expressed heartfelt support for Solberg and Elliott Edmondson, whose performance still left the field stunned.
“You don’t want to see that happen to them,” Martin voiced, revealing a moment of daze as the championship sealed itself.
Peers Praise the Underdog Achiever
Nine‑time champion Sébastien Ogier hailed Evans as “the deserved champion for this season”, crediting the Toyota crew with relentless effort throughout the year.
Thierry Neuville echoed the sentiment, stating that Evans deserved the title after years of close contention and that Solberg’s attempt was nevertheless commendable.
Looking Ahead: A New Era for British Rally
Evans’ triumph not only marks a personal milestone but also heralds a fresh chapter for British rallying, setting a new benchmark for future generations.
"