Evans clinches World Rally title in Sardinia after Solberg crashes two corners from finish

Elfyn Evans clinched the World Rally Championship title in Sardinia on Sunday after Oliver Solberg crashed two corners from the finish while contesting the final Powerstage. Evans, driving for Toyota, became the first British world champion since 2001.

Evans, with co-driver Scott Martin, ended a 25-year wait for Britain and is only the third British world rally champion following Scottish driver Colin McRae in 1995 and Englishman Richard Burns in 2001. The Welshman had been championship runner-up five times in the last six years. Solberg, 25 and the son of Norway’s 2003 champion Petter, ran wide and careered down a bank before getting the car back on the road. He still won the rally but lost the crucial bonus points on offer for the top five in the final stage.

Evans completed his final run first and had to watch and wait to see whether he had done enough to take the title. “It hasn’t sunk in. I was sure it was over. I didn’t drive the best ‌stage but threw everything at it but it wasn’t clean. I feel for Oliver. He had an incredible weekend,” he said.

Evans had started the rally — the final round after Saudi Arabia’s finale was cancelled due to conflict in the region — 17 points clear of Finland’s Sami Pajari and 21 clear of Solberg. The championship outcome hinged on the short final stage after a dramatic closing day.

The Swede had taken control of the rally on Saturday, starting the final day 33.6 seconds clear of the field. Evans lost time changing a wheel on Sunday’s penultimate stage, which left the title to be decided by who finished ahead on the last run.

“I don’t really know what my reaction is, it’s surreal with how it happened. It’s a relief. It wouldn’t be my proudest way of winning it, but it’s job done,” added the 37-year-old, who finished fifth in the gravel rally.

The final standings placed Evans on 243 points, Solberg on 238 and Pajari on 237; Toyota had already won the manufacturers’ championship and the season closed with new regulations due to come into force next year.