After a quarter of a century, Britain finally has a World Rally champion again in Welshman Elfyn Evans following his victory in Italy.
Oliver Solberg of Sweden looked like he was going to win in the final stage of the World Rally Championship's (WRC) last round but he crashed his car dramatically with just a few hundred metres left to go, allowing Evans -- a five-time runner-up -- to take the lead and finally get his hands on the title.
Even though Solberg won the Italia Sardegna rally itself, Evans finished five points ahead of him in the Championship to seal the title.
The last British man to win the WRC was Richard Burns in 2001.
"I don't think it's quite sunk in yet," Evans, 37, said after winning the championship. "I mean, I was quite sure that it was over. I didn't drive the best stage. I threw everything at it, but it wasn't clean.
"I feel sorry for Oliver [Solberg] as well -- he had an incredible weekend, and I'm sorry for him to lose it so close to the finish there. Obviously, I have a lot of people to thank for backing me for all the years, and to Scotty, obviously, for an incredible job."
Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin had led the championship for most of the 2026 season but that lead fell away towards the final stretch. Having finished as runner-up on five occasions, Evans was anxious that the title could yet slip away going into the last round.
"I don't really know what my reaction is," Evans said. "It's surreal with how it happened. It's a relief. It wouldn't by my proudest way of winning it, but it's job done."
The WRC Promoter CEO Éric Boullier was full of praise for Evans and his co-driver: "Elfyn and Scott have shown incredible resilience throughout this championship," Boullier said. "They have come close before, but they kept working, kept believing and kept delivering when the pressure was highest.
"Becoming WRC champions today is a hugely deserved reward for that perseverance."
And the WRC Promoter COO Julien Viel also offered his congratulations to Evans and Scott.
"This is a wonderful moment for Elfyn, Scott and everyone who has supported them on this journey.
"Their story is a reminder that you have to keep daring to dream, even after disappointment. To finally reach this moment makes the achievement even more special."