World Rally Championship glory was within touching distance for Oliver Solberg before a heartbreaking late incident at Rally Sardinia flipped the title race upside down. Entering the finale trailing the championship leader by 21 points, the young Swede knew only a maximum-attack approach would suffice.
The championship battle ultimately boiled down to the final stage shootout. Elfyn Evans completed his run first, openly admitting he was far from convinced that his pace would be enough to hold off the hard-charging competition behind him.
Evans's doubts proved justified when early split times flashed on the screens, showing Solberg firmly on course to snatch the world title by a couple of seconds. Everything went according to script through the treacherous sections of the stage until disaster struck mere meters from the finish.
A sneaky gravel bank on the outside of a corner caught his car off guard, pulling him off the road just two bends away from the finish line. Though he managed to rejoin and still won the rally itself, the lost seconds handed the coveted championship crown straight to his rival.
"Two corners, two corners... First of all, congratulations to Elfyn. He deserves it for sure. He's been very consistent all season," a devastated Solberg reflected after giving absolutely everything in a dramatic season-ending showdown.
Baca Juga
Oliver Solberg kehilangan gelar juara dunia WRC di dua tikungan terakhir Rally Sardinia setelah mengalami kecelakaan tipis di etape penutup.
Elfyn Evans dan Scott Martin sukses merengkuh gelar juara dunia WRC 2026 setelah drama menegangkan di Sardinia yang melibatkan insiden tikungan terakhir.
Elfyn Evans sukses mengamankan gelar juara dunia WRC 2026 usai drama menegangkan di Power Stage Rally Italia Sardinia mengalahkan rival terdekatnya.
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