Welsh driver Elfin Evans and his co-driver, compatriot Scott Martin, were crowned 2026 WRC world rally champions at the 23rd Rally Italia Sardegna, the final round of the championship, organized by the ACI with the support of the Sardinia Region and the Municipality of Alghero.
The British, racing in a Toyota Gr Yaris Rally1, finished with a time of 3h29'45”1 which earned them 5th place overall and which, added to the 3rd place in the power stage - only 11th fastest time in the Super Sunday (sum of the Sunday times, so no bonus) - allowed them to confirm their leadership in the standings and win the first world title of their career after having finished 2nd in the world championship five times.
The only mistake Oliver Solberg made all weekend was crucial to Evans's victory: a blunder two corners from the finish line of the final special stage, which counted as a power stage. He finished only eighth, behind Evans and without any extra points. It was a mistake that cost the Swede his first career title in his full-time debut season in Rally1. However, Oliver Solberg demonstrated quality, speed, courage, and determination: in short, all the talent and mentality needed to build a winning future.
Rounding out the overall podium of the 2026 RIS, second at 57.5, was nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, navigated by Landais in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, the same car as the third crew, composed of Finns Pajari and Salminen, at 1'37.3. Daprà and Guglielmetti (Skoda Fabia RS Rally9) finished 12th overall, the first of the Italians. Korhonen triumphed in the WR2 and Royére in the WRC3.
The Sardinians . The first of the Sardinians were Giuseppe Bitti and Giuseppe Pirisinu, in 32nd place and third in Rally3 (Renault Clio Rally3, at 1:11:29.6). Nuoro navigator Paolo Cottu, co-driving with Pozzo in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 (at 1:05:01.6), was 36th overall, while Gallura native Francesco Tali, co-driven by Libera from Trentino in a Ford Fiesta Rally2 (at 1:17:08.1). Gianluca Mara and Veronica Cottu in a Peugeot 208 Rally4 (at 1:26:35.2) were 40th overall, while Valentino Ledda and Claudio Mele (Opel Corsa Rally4, at 2:00:07.1) finished 42nd, ahead of Moreno Fosc and Angelo Tendas (Renault Clio Rally5, at 3:09:15.9). Francesco Marrone and Francesco Fresu, the top Sardinian drivers, were out during the final test due to a broken front right arm. Tilocca-Musu were out due to an electronic failure at the start of Argentiera 1. Dettori-Pisano were out on Friday, with their car failing FIA checks after a failure following a rollover during testing.