Evans upsets home favourite Solberg to win Rally Sweden and extend WRC advantage

Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin bounced back from their opening defeat by Oliver Solberg at the Monte Carlo Rally to secure victory at Rally Sweden with a 14.3sec over team-mate Takamoto Katsuta.

It means that, following a remarkable 1-2-3-4 for Toyota Gazoo Racing, Evans now leads the early standings by 12 points from Solberg with Katsuta 30 points off his lead in third.

“Obviously pretty chuffed and relieved right now,” commented Evans on the title sponsor Red Bull Release. “We were not sure how the Power Stage was going to look.

“Thanks to the team, they’ve done an incredible job again, and a Toyota 1-2-3-4 feels amazing. It’s always an amazing atmosphere in Sweden and it’s a special rally for many reasons.”

Takamoto Katsuta (JPN) and Aaron Johnston (IRL) of team TOYOTA GAZOO RACING WRT compete during the second stop of the World Rally Championship in Umea, Sweden on February 15, 2026. / Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Content Pool /

For Katsuta, it was a bittersweet result. He led the Rally after Friday and was hopeful of converting into a maiden WRC victory.

“I am not really happy of course,” he added. “It could have been so much better, especially yesterday. I just need to keep improving and push more.”

And for Monte Carlo winner Solberg, the disappointment was evident.

“I underestimated how difficult it would be on Friday,” he reflected. “Of course, the result is a bit disappointing, but after the position I put myself in I don’t deserve any more than P4.”