Welsh driver Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin have won the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship drivers' and co-drivers' titles for Toyota Gazoo Racing. The title was decided on 4 October 2026 at the season-closing Rally Italia Sardegna, after title rival Oliver Solberg crashed near the end of the final Power Stage.
Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin were crowned 2026 FIA World Rally Champions after the final round of the season, Rally Italia Sardegna, concluded on 4 October 2026. It is the first world title for both men after Evans had previously finished runner-up in the drivers' standings five times, according to the WRC's official website.
How the title was decided
The championship came down to the Wolf Power Stage, the final 7.10-kilometre test of the rally. Toyota teammate Oliver Solberg, driving alongside co-driver Elliott Edmondson, held an advantage of around 1.9 seconds over Evans with roughly one kilometre left, according to motorsport.com. Solberg then slid wide and ran into sand near the finish, losing enough time for Evans and Martin to take the title.
Solberg and Edmondson still won the Rally Italia Sardegna event itself, finishing 57.6 seconds ahead of the field, per motorsport.com. Sébastien Ogier placed second on the rally, with Sami Pajari third — a result that left Pajari six points short of the drivers' championship.
I don't think it's quite sunk in yet. I was quite sure that it was over. I feel sorry for Oliver as well - he did an incredible weekend.
— Elfyn Evans, speaking after the rally, quoted by wrc.com
Final 2026 drivers' standings
Top three in the 2026 WRC drivers' championship
Position
Driver
Points
1
Elfyn Evans
243
2
Oliver Solberg
238
3
Sami Pajari
237
Scott Martin won the corresponding co-drivers' title alongside Evans. The figures are listed on the English Wikipedia page for the 2026 World Rally Championship season.
Background on Evans and Martin
Evans, from Wales, drives for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT with co-driver Scott Martin. With this title, Evans becomes the first British driver to win the WRC drivers' championship since Richard Burns in 2001, according to wrc.com and motorsport.com.
Manufacturers' title for Toyota
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT also secured the 2026 manufacturers' championship, its sixth consecutive title in that category, which the Wikipedia entry for the season notes ties Toyota with Lancia on ten manufacturers' world titles overall.
Season context
The 2026 season ran across 13 rounds after a planned Rally Saudi Arabia was removed from the calendar; Wikipedia's season article attributes the cancellation to the 2026 Iran war. Round winners during the year were split among several drivers, including Oliver Solberg, Takamoto Katsuta, Sébastien Ogier, Thierry Neuville, Sami Pajari and Evans himself, who won Rally Sweden and Rally Japan.
Questions
Who won the 2026 World Rally Championship?
Elfyn Evans won the drivers' title and Scott Martin, his co-driver, won the co-drivers' title, both driving for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT.
How was the 2026 WRC title decided?
The title was settled on the final Power Stage of the season-closing Rally Italia Sardegna on 4 October 2026, when title contender Oliver Solberg crashed into sand near the finish while holding a narrow time advantage over Evans.
Did Evans win the final rally of the season?
No. Oliver Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson won the Rally Italia Sardegna event itself, finishing 57.6 seconds ahead of the field, but Evans secured enough points to take the overall championship.
Is this Elfyn Evans' first world title?
Yes. According to wrc.com, Evans had previously finished runner-up in the drivers' championship five times before winning his first title in 2026.
Which manufacturer won the 2026 constructors' title?
Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT won the 2026 manufacturers' championship, its sixth title in a row, according to the Wikipedia page for the season.
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