Lorraine Williamson
Sébastien Ogier claimed victory at the Rally Islas Canarias on Sunday after a dramatic late twist ended Oliver Solberg’s challenge on the penultimate stage.
The French driver and co-driver Vincent Landais finished first in Las Palmas, securing Ogier’s first World Rally Championship win of 2026. The result also gave the Canary Islands a high-profile finish in one of Spain’s biggest motorsport weekends of the year. The official WRC report said Ogier reached the finish 19.9 seconds ahead of Elfyn Evans, with Sami Pajari completing an all-Toyota podium.
A tight battle ends suddenly
For much of Sunday, the rally appeared to be heading for a tense final duel between Ogier and Solberg.
Solberg had cut the gap to just over two seconds before disaster struck. Reuters reported that the Swedish driver went off the road after 14 kilometres of the penultimate stage, hitting a barrier and damaging the car too badly to continue. Solberg and his co-driver were unhurt.
That crash cleared the way for Ogier to control the final kilometres.
Toyota dominates the Spanish round
Toyota’s performance was emphatic. The team filled the top four places, with Ogier leading Evans, Pajari and Takamoto Katsuta.
The WRC said the result also marked Toyota Gazoo Racing’s 300th podium finish in the championship. For Ogier, it added another major win to one of rallying’s most decorated careers.
Evans’ second place carried extra importance. It moved him back to the top of the WRC standings after five rounds, with 101 points.
Canary Islands puts Spain on the WRC map
This year’s event marked the 50th edition of the Rally Islas Canarias, and its place on the World Rally Championship calendar gave Gran Canaria a major international sporting showcase.
The rally’s fast asphalt roads brought strong crowds and global attention to the island. Cadena SER reported that the event produced a demanding three-day contest across 17 special stages before Sunday’s final result.
For Spain, the race adds to a packed spring sports calendar that has already included MotoGP in Jerez and major football fixtures across the country.
Sordo returns as Spanish fans watch closely
Spanish interest also centred on Dani Sordo, who returned to the WRC after a long absence. He finished seventh for Hyundai, behind Thierry Neuville.
It was not the result Spanish fans may have hoped for, but Sordo’s return added local interest to a rally already carrying historic weight.
A Spanish rally with international reach
The championship now moves to Portugal in May, where gravel roads will change the challenge again.
For the Canary Islands, however, Sunday’s finish delivered exactly what organisers would have wanted: a world champion winner, late drama, and a Spanish event firmly in the global rally spotlight.