Elfyn Evans has ended a 25-year wait for Britain by winning the World Rally Championship title with Toyota. The Welshman secured the championship after a dramatic season finale in Sardinia on Sunday, marking his first title win after being runner-up five times in the last six years.
The victory came after a final Powerstage duel with teammate Oliver Solberg. Solberg, 25, crashed out just two corners from the finish while on course to take the crown, running wide and careering down a bank. Although Solberg still won the rally, he lost crucial bonus points from the final stage.
Evans, with co-driver Scott Martin, is the first British world rally champion since Richard Burns in 2001. He finished the season with 243 points, ahead of Solberg on 238 and Sami Pajari on 237. Toyota had already secured the manufacturers' championship.
Evans expressed his disbelief, stating, “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 added, “It’s a relief. It wouldn’t be my proudest way of winning it, but it’s job done.”