Elfyn Evans Leads WRC After Sweden 2026 Win

WRC, Sportrik Media - Elfyn Evans claimed his third career Rally Sweden victory in 2026 after taking control on Saturday and ultimately winning by 14.3 seconds over team-mate Takamoto Katsuta. The result reinforces a season start that mirrors his 2025 campaign trajectory.

The Welsh driver of Toyota Gazoo Racing opened the year with second place in Monte Carlo before securing the maximum points haul in Sweden. Across the opening two rounds, Evans has accumulated 60 points and now holds a 13-point lead in the drivers’ championship over team-mate Oliver Solberg.

Solberg, winner of the Monte Carlo opener, had to settle for fourth place at his home rally around Umeå. He collected 17 points from the weekend and remains within striking distance in the title fight despite losing momentum following his season-opening victory. Toyota underlined its dominance by locking out the top four positions at the finish.

Katsuta currently occupies third place in the championship standings after finishing runner-up in Sweden for the second consecutive year. The Japanese driver pushed for a maiden WRC victory but ultimately fell short against Evans’ decisive Saturday pace. Behind the Toyota trio, Hyundai driver Adrien Fourmaux finished fifth and sits fourth in the overall standings.

Meanwhile, Thierry Neuville managed only seventh place over the weekend and trails Fourmaux in the championship table. Toyota also gained valuable points from Sami Pajari, who finished third and opened his points account for the season. He currently sits seventh overall behind team-mate Sébastien Ogier, who skipped the second round of the year.

In the manufacturers’ standings, Toyota has extended its advantage over Hyundai to 51 points after two rounds. The 1-2-3-4 finish in Sweden highlights both technical strength and operational consistency from the Japanese manufacturer in winter conditions.

With two events completed, Evans holds early control in the 2026 WRC title race. The championship now moves to Kenya in March, where the gravel stages of Safari Rally will present a contrasting technical challenge for the leading contenders.