Elfyn Evans, feeling relieved, believes that years of hard work have finally paid off after becoming Britain’s first World Rally Champion in 25 years, following a “surreal” final stage at Rally Sardinia. As the longtime championship leader, he felt the title slipping away, especially after starting first on the road on Friday and facing a penultimate stage puncture on Sunday, which shifted the title fight towards Oliver Solberg, who began the weekend 21 points behind.

​

After finishing as runner-up five times (2020-21, 2023-25), Evans expressed a mix of emotions upon realizing he had become Wales’ first WRC champion and Britain’s first world rally champion since Richard Burns in 2001.

“It’s a bit of relief, a bit of happiness, a bit of joy,” Evans said. “It’s been a surreal afternoon with many ups and downs. I was sure it wouldn’t happen with my performance in the Power Stage, but it shows anything can happen in this sport."

 

“I’m usually self-critical and not very proud of my last event of the season, but it was a season’s work. I think we were pretty unlucky with what happened in Chile [with the penultimate stage puncture], and here, too, we went through one corner, lost speed, and still got a puncture."

 

“I’ve put a lot of work into this sport, and maybe my talent isn’t as high as some of the others, but I bring a lot of effort, as everyone does. I try to give everything, and finally, it has paid off with a championship.”

Evans’ navigator, Scott Martin, now England’s first WRC co-drivers’ champion, added: “It’s been a long time coming. Watching Oliver [Solberg] and Elliott [Edmondson] put together a strong final stage, I thought it might slip away again. After the unfolding drama, my heart goes out to them. You never want to see that. It hasn’t sunk in yet. I’m in a bit of a daze.”

 

Nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier, who defeated Evans to claim world titles in 2020, 2021, and 2025, believes no one is more deserving of the crown than his Toyota teammate. “For me, he's the deserved champion of this season. He’s had a tough job all year, and no one deserved it more after many years of hard work,” Ogier said.

 

The sentiment was echoed by 2024 world champion Thierry Neuville, who added: “I truly thought Elfyn deserved it, and in the end, everything worked out for him. But I also want to acknowledge Oliver, who excelled all weekend. He aimed solely to win the championship, and he delivered this weekend. However, there can only be one winner, and I think most agree that Elfyn is the rightful winner this year.”