Evans' steady start to WRC title bid in Sardinia

Eflyn Evans struck a blow against his nearest title rival, but conceded time to another, as a three-way tussle to decide the World Rally Championship (WRC) got underway in Sardinia.

The opening stage of the Rally Italia Sardegna was a series of 2.21km head-to-head duels in the Ittiri Arena.

Championship leader Evans pipped nearest challenger Sami Pajari by 0.4 seconds in their run-off, but was only third quickest and 1.1s slower than Oliver Solberg, the other Toyota driver who can claim the title.

"I'm feeling alright at the moment," said Welshman Evans, who has finished as runner-up in WRC five times in the past six years.

The 37-year-old from Dolgellau takes a 17-point lead over Parjari into the final rally of the season, with Solberg a further four points behind in third.

However, as championship leader, Evans faces the prospect of "opening the road", sweeping the tracks of gravel, which could be a major disadvantage after a long spell of hot, dry weather on the Italian island.

"I would say I'm looking forward, but I think tomorrow will be tough," Evans added.

"We are here to drive like usual and try and do a good job even though it will be quite challenging."

Solberg - who won his stadium duel with M-Sport Ford's Josh McErlean - was also quickest in Thursday morning's shakedown on the gravel tracks, with Evans only sixth fastest.

Pajari posted the eighth-fastest shakedown time, having been hampered by dust from the Welshman's car, and said after his run: "There was a lot of dust and I hope it won't be this bad in the rally, otherwise I will have no chance."

The Finn was fourth quickest on the opening superspecial stage behind Evans, with a fourth Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mate Sebastien Ogier in second.

Jon Armstrong, in eighth, was the quickest Ford driver, one place ahead of fellow Irishman McErlean.

The Italian round was due to be the penultimate rally on the 2026 calendar, before the removal of November's planned Saudi Arabia finale because of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.

All three title contenders are looking to win the title for the first time, with Evans bidding to become only the third British man to win the WRC crown - joining Colin McRae and Richard Burns.

Evans will guarantee himself a first WRC title if he collects 19 points from the maximum 35 available to any one driver over a rally weekend.

He has averaged 19.2 points per event this season.

The winner of the rally will collect 25 points, with 17 for second, 15 for third and so on down to one for 10th place.

A further five, four, three, two and one points are available for the five quickest drivers over Sunday's four stages, with the same bonuses awarded for the fastest times on the final Power Stage.

That means any of these five scenarios would guarantee Evans his first world title.

If, on the other hand, Evans fails to collect 19 points this weekend, that does not mean his dream is over, but it does open the door for his rivals.

Pajari must outscore championship leader Evans by at least 18 points - in addition to gaining four more than Solberg - to take the title.

If the Finnish driver - who has won three of the past four rallies - were to take the maximum 35 points, that would mean Evans could score no more than 18.

Those returns would see the Toyota pair tied on 248 points and make Pajari champion by virtue of four rally victories this season compared to the Welshman's two.

Solberg, winner of the previous rally in Chile, needs to score at least 22 points more than Evans and five more than Pajari to take the title.

If he were to enjoy a maximum 35-point weekend and Evans picked up 15, the pair would be level on 244 points, making the Swede world champion on countback with three rally victories.

The rally continues with a further 16 stages before the winner - and the 2026 World Rally champion - is crowned on Sunday.

Friday's stages

SS2: Tula - Erula1, 18.77km (07:01 BST)

SS3: Su Filigosu - Lerno 1, 17.83km (08:01 BST)

SS4: Monti di Ala' - Sa Conchedda - Lerno 1, 23.23km (09:08 BST)

SS5: Tula - Erula2, 18.77km (13:31 BST)

SS6: Su Filigosu - Lerno 2, 17.83km (14:31 BST)

SS7: Monti di Ala' - Sa Conchedda - Lerno 2, 23.23km (15:38 BST)

Saturday's stages

SS8: Lerno - Sa Conhedda - Monti de Ala' 1, 24.14km (07:01 BST)

SS9: Coiluna - Loelle 1, 24.83km (08:01 BST)

SS10: Solorche' 1, 12.86km (09:07 BST)

SS11: Lerno - Sa Conhedda - Monti de Ala' 2, 24.14km (13:31 BST)

SS12: Coiluna - Loelle 2, 24.83km (14:41 BST)

SS13: Solorche' 2, 12.86km (15:37 BST)

Sunday's stages

SS14: Osilo - Tergu 1, 23.71km (07:31 BST)

SS15: Sassari - Argentiera 1, 7.10km (09:05 BST)

SS16: Osilo - Tergu 2, 23.71km (10:38 BST)

SS17: Wolf Power Stage, Sassari - Argentiera 1, 7.10km (13:15 BST)