Rallying-Evans Leads Three-Way Battle as New Champion Set to Be Crowned in Sardinia
Toyota teammates Evans, Pajari and Solberg remain separated by 21 points, with 35 available and the season title to be decided on gravel.
- On Sunday, October 4, 2026, Toyota's Elfyn Evans heads into the final day of Rally Italy Sardinia with a 17-point lead over teammate Sami Pajari, while Oliver Solberg trails by 21 points in the season-ending World Rally Championship title decider.
- The season finale moved to Alghero after officials cancelled Rally Saudi Arabia, leaving a maximum 35 points available for any driver to claim a maiden crown. Toyota clinched the manufacturers' championship earlier this month in Chile.
- Drivers faced visibility challenges from hanging dust, prompting organizers to implement four-minute gaps between vehicles. Evans struggled as first on the road, sweeping loose gravel for Pajari and Solberg on Sardinia's abrasive gravel stages.
- Solberg holds a 33.6s rally lead heading into Sunday, while Evans sits fifth overall and needs 19 points this weekend to guarantee his first championship win regardless of rivals' results.
- Sunday's four-stage finale culminates with the Sassari-Argentiera Wolf Power Stage, offering 10 bonus points that could determine the champion as all three Toyota drivers remain mathematically in contention.
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Oliver Solberg is chasing the World Rally Championship title. He's really close – but to succeed he needs help. Expect a thrilling conclusion to the WRC in Sardinia.
On Saturday, Oliver Solberg took the lead in the Sardinian rally and put pressure on Elfyn Evans, World Championship leader.
A crash for Thierry Neuville in the Italian World Rally Championship has reduced Oliver Solberg's chances of winning World Championship gold. But the dream of becoming the first Swedish world champion in over 40 years is alive ahead of the finale.
The World Rally Championship battle will culminate in Sardinia this weekend.
One of the three aspirants to the throne, the Swedish Oliver Solberg (Toyota GR Yaris), leads the Rally Italia-Sardinia, the final round of the championship and in which the world title is decided, by marking the best time in the superspecial opening, in which the other three candidates and teammates, the British ... Continue reading "Solberg leads first day of the Rally Italia-Sardinia: Swedish plays WRC title with Evans and Pajari"
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