The cancellation of Rally Saudi Arabia from the 2026 WRC calendar, with no replacement found, means the World Rally Championship will conclude in just over two weeks. With only 13 rounds now, Sardinia becomes the decisive stage. For title contenders, this is a massive blow, especially with Elfyn Evans sitting comfortably at the top of the standings.
Evans on the Verge of a Maiden Title
Evans led the championship before Sardinia with a 17-point gap over Sami Pajari and 21 over Oliver Solberg. With two events left, tricky road conditions could have posed a threat. But now only one event remains, and the pressure on Evans has eased significantly. If he scores 19 points in Sardinia, he will be crowned 2026 WRC champion regardless of his rivals' results. Pajari and Solberg still have a mathematical chance with 35 points available, but Pajari has never outscored Evans by more than 13 points in a single event this season, while Solberg took 20 points from Evans in Chile but now trails by 21.
A New World Champion Guaranteed
One thing is certain: the WRC will have a new world champion in 2026. Defending champion Sebastien Ogier has officially lost his crown, trailing Evans by 63 points with only 35 left on the table. Thierry Neuville is also mathematically eliminated. This marks the end of Ogier's reign and opens the door for a new generation.
Virves Clinches WRC2 Title
Robert Virves has been dominant in WRC2 with four wins and a second place. Although Teemu Suninen entered Sardinia, Suninen's title hopes are over as he trails by 41 points with a maximum of 25 still available. This means that for the first time since its homologation, the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 has failed to win the WRC's Rally2 championship.
Fourmaux's Last Chance
Adrien Fourmaux has long been chasing his first WRC win, especially in a Rally1 car. Now his only chance is in Sardinia. He will start fifth, battling Ogier (who is four points ahead) for fourth in the championship. Fourmaux must seize every opportunity if he wants to make history.
Toyota's Record Hopes Dashed
Toyota was targeting a record 13th win in a season, matching Lancia with 10 manufacturers' titles and six consecutive wins. But with Saudi Arabia cancelled, that record is now out of reach. Nevertheless, Toyota remains the dominant force in the WRC this season.
With all these dynamics, the 2026 WRC finale in Sardinia promises to be one of the most thrilling in history. Evans is one step away from the title, while his rivals fight for a miracle. Don't miss the action from the World Rally Championship, only on Sportrik.
Read Also
Rally Saudi Arabia 2026 cancelled, leaving WRC with one decider in Italy. Elfyn Evans leads by 21 points over Pajari and Solberg.
FIA cancels Rally Saudi Arabia from 2026 WRC calendar, a major blow for Sami Pajari and Oliver Solberg battling Elfyn Evans.
WRC 2026 finale moved to Italy: Elfyn Evans on brink of title, only needs one event. Read our full analysis.
Continue with Google
Discussion (0)
Join the Discussion!
Sign in easily to start commenting, replying, and interacting with other readers.
Latest Comments
No comments yet. Be the first!