Wales’ Elfyn Evans is poised to capture his first World Rally Championship (WRC) title as he enters the final event with a 17-point advantage. The 37-year-old, who has finished as runner-up five times over the past six years, leads Toyota teammates Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg into the season-ending Rally Italia Sardegna, scheduled for October 1-4.
Evans secured his championship lead following the cancellation of the planned Saudi Arabia finale. A victory in Sardinia would make him only the third British driver to win the WRC crown, joining legends Colin McRae and Richard Burns.
Evans’ journey to this moment has been marked by a series of dramatic near-misses. His transition to the Toyota Gazoo Racing squad in 2020 marked a turning point, with early success including wins at Rally Sweden and Turkey. Entering the final round at Monza with a 14-point lead, Evans suffered a crucial crash on treacherous snow-covered stages. Sebastien Ogier capitalized on the incident to claim his seventh world title by eight points, leaving Evans devastated.
The 2021 season saw Evans fight back from an early deficit, forcing the championship decider back to Monza. Despite matching Ogier’s pace throughout the event, the Frenchman ultimately prevailed. In 2023, Evans endured a difficult year adapting to hybrid cars, finishing fourth in the standings. He recovered with three wins, including a season-high performance in Japan, but a crash in Portugal cost him the title charge against teammate Kalle Rovanpera.
Evans finished as runner-up again in 2024, narrowly missing out to Thierry Neuville, and in 2025, falling just four points short of Ogier’s record-equalling ninth title after a tense finish in Saudi Arabia.
Now, with the calendar shortened and a clear path to glory, Evans aims to finally overcome the ‘nearly-man’ label. However, challenges remain, including the disadvantage of opening the road on gravel—a surface that has historically troubled him in Sardinia. Evans acknowledges the uncertainty but remains focused on securing the prize that has eluded him for so long.
Five runner-up finishes is a record of sorts, I suppose. At least he’s consistent enough to be in contention every year!
17 points isn’t a massive buffer for a rally champion chase. If Ogier is still competing, anything can happen quickly.
The opening-the-road disadvantage in gravel is huge. Has he ever really conquered it under pressure? I’m nervous.
Finally! After all those heartbreaks, it feels like the universe owes Elfyn one. Let’s hope Sardinia is kind to him this time.