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Best WRC Drivers 2026: Championship Standings & Top Performers

Emma Blackwell by Emma Blackwell
August 13, 2026
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By Themotorsport.net
Last updated: August 13, 2026
9 min read
123
Elfyn Evans leads the 2026 WRC championship with 123 points after the Rally of Portugal, holding a 12-point advantage over second-place Takamoto Katsuta.

Source: AutoHebdo F1 (2026)

Key Findings at a Glance

  • → Toyota fields five GR Yaris Rally1 cars Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team fields five GR Yaris Rally1 cars on the majority of 2026 WRC events, featuring Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta, Sami Pajari, and Oliver Solberg. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]
  • → Evans won Rally Sweden with 34 out of 35 possible points Elfyn Evans scored 34 out of a possible 35 points at Rally Sweden in February 2026, missing only the Power Stage win by seven hundredths of a second. [AutoHebdo F1]
  • → Sami Pajari became the 17th Finnish driver to win a WRC round Sami Pajari became the 17th driver from Finland to win a round of the WRC with his victory at Rally Estonia in 2026. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]
  • → Toyota holds 174-point lead in manufacturers championship Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT holds a commanding 174-point lead over Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT in the 2026 manufacturers’ championship. [Wikipedia]
  • → Oliver Solberg won 2025 WRC2 title and stepped up to Rally1 Oliver Solberg secured the 2025 WRC2 championship driving the GR Yaris Rally2 car and earned a promotion to Rally1 machinery for 2026. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]
  • → Thierry Neuville won Rally Portugal by 16.3 seconds Thierry Neuville won the 2026 Rally of Portugal, finishing 16.3 seconds ahead of Oliver Solberg and 29.1 seconds ahead of Elfyn Evans after a challenging rally marked by rain and mud. [AutoHebdo F1]
  • → Evans leads championship by 30 points with four rounds remaining With four rounds to go in the 2026 season, Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin lead the drivers’ and co-drivers’ championship by thirty points over Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen. [Wikipedia]
  • → Toyota achieved historic top-five sweep at Rally Finland 2025 Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT achieved a historic sweep of the top five positions at Rally Finland in 2025, a feat achieved only once before in WRC history. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]

Table of Contents

  1. Who’s Leading the 2026 WRC Championship Battle?
  2. Which Drivers Have Won Rallies in 2026?
  3. Who Are Toyota’s Five Rally1 Drivers This Season?
  4. Methodology
  5. Frequently Asked Questions
  6. Sources & References
Top WRC Drivers to Watch in 2026

Elfyn Evans leads the 2026 WRC championship with 123 points after the Rally of Portugal, holding a 12-point advantage over second-place Takamoto Katsuta according to AutoHebdo F1. Toyota Gazoo Racing dominates the manufacturers’ championship with a 174-point lead over Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT, fielding five GR Yaris Rally1 cars across most events this season. The battle for the title remains open with four rounds still to go in this 14-rally season.

1Who’s Leading the 2026 WRC Championship Battle?

Elfyn Evans sits atop the drivers’ standings with 123 points, followed by Takamoto Katsuta in second and Oliver Solberg in third at 92 points. Adrien Fourmaux holds fourth place, while Sébastien Ogier trails the leader by 42 points. Toyota commands the manufacturers’ championship with a 174-point margin over Hyundai.

METRIC VALUE SOURCE
Championship points leader Elfyn Evans driver AutoHebdo F1
Evans total championship points 123 points AutoHebdo F1
Second place driver Takamoto Katsuta driver AutoHebdo F1
Third place driver Oliver Solberg driver AutoHebdo F1
Adrien Fourmaux position 4 rank AutoHebdo F1
Toyota manufacturers lead 174 points Wikipedia
Evans championship lead 30 points Wikipedia
Rounds remaining in season 4 rallies Wikipedia
Total season rounds 14 rallies Wikipedia
Ogier championship deficit 42 points AutoHebdo F1
WRC2 leader Roope Korhonen driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Top five driver points spread 47 points Toyota Gazoo Racing
Source: AutoHebdo F1
123 points
Including 15 stage wins, 4 second places, 3 third places
AutoHebdo F1, 2026
Evans total championship points
123
Adrien Fourmaux position
4
Toyota manufacturers lead
174
Evans championship lead
30
Rounds remaining in season
4
Total season rounds
14
Ogier championship deficit
42
Top five driver points spread
47

The current championship standings show Evans and co-driver Scott Martin holding a thirty-point cushion over Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen with four rallies remaining in the season. The top five drivers are separated by just 47 points, making the final rounds tense. Toyota’s five-car strategy has proven effective, with multiple drivers contributing to their commanding lead in the manufacturers’ race. Roope Korhonen currently leads the WRC2 category, while the 2026 schedule features 14 rounds total.

2Which Drivers Have Won Rallies in 2026?

Elfyn Evans dominated Rally Sweden in February 2026, scoring 34 out of 35 possible points and missing the Power Stage win by only 0.07 seconds. Oliver Solberg took victory at Monte Carlo, Thierry Neuville won Portugal by 16.3 seconds ahead of Solberg, and Sami Pajari claimed his maiden WRC win at Rally Estonia.

METRIC VALUE SOURCE
Rally Sweden winner Elfyn Evans driver AutoHebdo F1
Evans Rally Sweden points 34 points AutoHebdo F1
Power Stage margin 0.07 seconds AutoHebdo F1
Monte Carlo Rally winner Oliver Solberg driver AutoHebdo F1
Rally Portugal winner Thierry Neuville driver AutoHebdo F1
Neuville winning margin 16.3 seconds AutoHebdo F1
Rally Portugal total time 3:53:01.7 hours AutoHebdo F1
Rally Estonia winner Sami Pajari driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Rally Finland round number 10 round Toyota Gazoo Racing
Rally Finland location Jyväskylä city Toyota Gazoo Racing
Toyota Rally Finland wins 7 victories Toyota Gazoo Racing
Evans Rally Finland wins 2 victories Toyota Gazoo Racing
Ogier Rally Finland wins 2 victories Toyota Gazoo Racing
Katsuta Rally Finland podiums 2 podiums Toyota Gazoo Racing
Pajari Rally Finland 2024 result 4 position Toyota Gazoo Racing
Source: AutoHebdo F1
3:53:01.7 hours
Neuville’s winning time
AutoHebdo F1, 2026
Evans Rally Sweden points
34
Power Stage margin
0.07
Neuville winning margin
16.3
Rally Portugal total time
3:53:01.7
Rally Finland round number
10
Toyota Rally Finland wins
7
Evans Rally Finland wins
2
Ogier Rally Finland wins
2

Evans’ near-perfect performance at Rally Sweden demonstrated why he’s leading the championship, collecting maximum points except for that razor-thin Power Stage margin. Neuville’s Portugal win came after 3:53:01.7 hours of racing through challenging rain and mud conditions, with Evans finishing third, 29.1 seconds back. Pajari’s Estonia triumph made him the 17th Finnish driver to win a WRC round, continuing Finland’s rich rallying heritage. Rally Finland, round 10 held in Jyväskylä, represents home territory for Toyota drivers, where the team has claimed seven victories, including two each for Evans and Ogier, while Katsuta has secured two podiums at the venue.

Top WRC Drivers to Watch in 2026 — Key StatisticsEvans total championship points123 pointsEvans Rally Sweden points34 pointsOliver Solberg age24 yearsNeuville winning margin16.3 secondsNumber of Toyota Rally1 cars5 carsAdrien Fourmaux position4 rankRally Portugal total time3:53:01.7 hoursPower Stage margin0.07 secondsSource: AutoHebdo F1, 2026
Key statistics for Top WRC Drivers to Watch in 2026. Source: AutoHebdo F1

3Who Are Toyota’s Five Rally1 Drivers This Season?

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team fields Elfyn Evans with co-driver Scott Martin, nine-time world champion Sébastien Ogier with Vincent Landais, Takamoto Katsuta with Aaron Johnston, Sami Pajari with Marko Salminen, and 24-year-old Oliver Solberg with Elliott Edmondson. Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala oversees the operation pursuing a fifth consecutive manufacturers’ title.

METRIC VALUE SOURCE
Number of Toyota Rally1 cars 5 cars Toyota Gazoo Racing
Toyota driver lineup Evans, Ogier, Katsuta, Pajari, Solberg drivers Toyota Gazoo Racing
Oliver Solberg age 24 years Toyota Gazoo Racing
Solberg co-driver Elliott Edmondson co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Evans co-driver Scott Martin co-driver AutoHebdo F1
Pajari co-driver Marko Salminen co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Katsuta co-driver Aaron Johnston co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Ogier co-driver Vincent Landais co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing
Hyundai driver lineup Neuville, Fourmaux, Lappi drivers Instagram Hyundai Motorsport
Ogier total world titles 9 championships Toyota Gazoo Racing
Ogier 2026 events 10 rallies AutoHebdo F1
GR Yaris Rally2 entries 13 cars Toyota Gazoo Racing
Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala person Toyota Gazoo Racing
Toyota consecutive manufacturers titles 5 championships Toyota Gazoo Racing
Source: Toyota Gazoo Racing
24 years
Age when promoted to Rally1 for 2026
Toyota Gazoo Racing, 2026
Number of Toyota Rally1 cars
5
Oliver Solberg age
24
Ogier total world titles
9
Ogier 2026 events
10
GR Yaris Rally2 entries
13
Toyota consecutive manufacturers titles
5

Solberg earned his Rally1 seat after securing the 2025 WRC2 championship in the GR Yaris Rally2, proving himself worthy of the promotion through consistent driver development. Ogier competes in 10 rallies this season rather than a full campaign, bringing his nine world championships worth of experience to key events. Hyundai’s lineup features Neuville, Fourmaux, and Lappi as the main competition to Toyota’s five-car assault. The manufacturer’s GR Yaris Rally2 program has attracted 13 entries, feeding talent into the Rally1 program, while performance data shows Toyota’s strategy of fielding multiple competitive drivers is paying off in both championships.

Complete Data Reference

Sortable table of all verified data points. Click any column header to sort.

Metric Value Source Year
Championship points leader Elfyn Evans driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Evans total championship points 123 points AutoHebdo F1 2026
Second place driver Takamoto Katsuta driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Third place driver Oliver Solberg driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Adrien Fourmaux position 4 rank AutoHebdo F1 2026
Rally Sweden winner Elfyn Evans driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Evans Rally Sweden points 34 points AutoHebdo F1 2026
Power Stage margin 0.07 seconds AutoHebdo F1 2026
Monte Carlo Rally winner Oliver Solberg driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Rally Portugal winner Thierry Neuville driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Neuville winning margin 16.3 seconds AutoHebdo F1 2026
Rally Portugal total time 3:53:01.7 hours AutoHebdo F1 2026
Rally Estonia winner Sami Pajari driver Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Number of Toyota Rally1 cars 5 cars Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Toyota driver lineup Evans, Ogier, Katsuta, Pajari, Solberg drivers Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Oliver Solberg age 24 years Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Solberg co-driver Elliott Edmondson co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Evans co-driver Scott Martin co-driver AutoHebdo F1 2026
Pajari co-driver Marko Salminen co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Katsuta co-driver Aaron Johnston co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Ogier co-driver Vincent Landais co-driver Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Hyundai driver lineup Neuville, Fourmaux, Lappi drivers Instagram Hyundai Motorsport 2026
Toyota manufacturers lead 174 points Wikipedia 2026
Evans championship lead 30 points Wikipedia 2026
Rounds remaining in season 4 rallies Wikipedia 2026
Total season rounds 14 rallies Wikipedia 2026
Rally Finland round number 10 round Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Rally Finland location Jyväskylä city Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Toyota Rally Finland wins 7 victories Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Evans Rally Finland wins 2 victories Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Ogier Rally Finland wins 2 victories Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Ogier total world titles 9 championships Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Ogier 2026 events 10 rallies AutoHebdo F1 2026
Ogier championship deficit 42 points AutoHebdo F1 2026
Katsuta Rally Finland podiums 2 podiums Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Pajari Rally Finland 2024 result 4 position Toyota Gazoo Racing 2024
GR Yaris Rally2 entries 13 cars Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
WRC2 leader Roope Korhonen driver Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala person Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Top five driver points spread 47 points Toyota Gazoo Racing 2026
Toyota consecutive manufacturers titles 5 championships Toyota Gazoo Racing 2025
Top WRC Drivers to Watch in 2026 comparison chart
Comparison data for Top WRC Drivers to Watch in 2026.

Methodology

Data reflects championship standings through Rally Portugal (round 6 of 2026 season). Final season results may differ as four rounds remain. Historical comparisons limited to officially published Toyota Gazoo Racing and FIA WRC records. Some driver statistics may be updated after publication as the season progresses.

  • Sources consulted: 10
  • Sources cited: 5
  • Data range: February 2026 – August 2026
  • Freshness: 9 current-year, 1 last-year, 0 older
  • Update schedule: Quarterly

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is leading the 2026 WRC championship right now?

Elfyn Evans sits at the top of the 2026 WRC standings with 123 points after Rally Portugal, holding a 12-point gap over Takamoto Katsuta in second place. Evans has been incredibly steady this season, racking up 15 stage wins along with multiple podium finishes that have kept him ahead of the competition. [AutoHebdo F1]

Which drivers are racing for Toyota in the 2026 WRC season?

Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team fields five GR Yaris Rally1 cars on most 2026 WRC events. Their driver lineup includes Elfyn Evans, eight-time champion Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta, rising star Sami Pajari, and Oliver Solberg who earned his promotion after winning the 2025 WRC2 title. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]

How dominant was Elfyn Evans at Rally Sweden 2026?

Evans put on a masterclass at Rally Sweden in February 2026, scoring 34 out of 35 possible points. He won the rally and collected bonus points, missing only the Power Stage victory by a razor-thin margin of seven hundredths of a second. This performance showed just how strong Evans has been this season. [AutoHebdo F1]

What makes Sami Pajari a driver to watch in 2026?

Sami Pajari made history by becoming the 17th Finnish driver to win a WRC round when he took victory at Rally Estonia in 2026. This win showed that the young Finn has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and he’s been a strong performer throughout the season in his Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]

How is Toyota performing in the manufacturers championship?

Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT holds a commanding 174-point lead over Hyundai Shell Mobis WRT in the 2026 manufacturers’ championship. This huge gap shows how well Toyota’s five-car strategy is working, with multiple drivers contributing points throughout the season and keeping the team far ahead of their rivals. [Wikipedia]

What’s the story behind Oliver Solberg’s 2026 season?

Oliver Solberg earned his spot in Rally1 machinery after securing the 2025 WRC2 championship driving the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. He’s made the most of this opportunity, currently sitting third in the championship with 92 points and even finishing second at Rally Portugal, just 16.3 seconds behind winner Thierry Neuville. [Toyota Gazoo Racing]

Who won Rally Portugal and how close was the finish?

Thierry Neuville took victory at the 2026 Rally of Portugal, finishing 16.3 seconds ahead of Oliver Solberg and 29.1 seconds ahead of championship leader Elfyn Evans. The rally was tough, with rain and mud creating challenging conditions that tested every driver’s skill and determination throughout the event. [AutoHebdo F1]

What’s the championship situation heading into the final rounds?

With four rounds remaining in the 2026 season, Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin hold a thirty-point lead over Sami Pajari and Marko Salminen in the drivers’ and co-drivers’ championship. This gap gives Evans some breathing room, but there’s still plenty of racing left where anything can happen. [Wikipedia]

Sources & References

  1. AutoHebdo F1. “WRC 2026 Championship Standings After Rally of Portugal.” https://www.autohebdof1.com/news/rally/wrc/WRC-2026-championship-standings-after-the-Rally-of-Portugal.html. Accessed 2026-08-13.
  2. Toyota Gazoo Racing. “2026 WRC Driver Line-up Announcement.” https://tgr-europe-newsroom.com/blog/wrc/artikel/2026-wrc-driver-line-up-announcement/text. Accessed 2026-08-13.
  3. AutoHebdo F1. “WRC 2026 Championship Standings.” https://www.autohebdof1.com/news/rally/wrc/WRC-2026-championship-standings.html. Accessed 2026-08-13.
  4. Toyota Gazoo Racing. “WRC Round 10 Preview.” https://toyotagazooracing.com/wrc/release/2026/rd10-preview/. Accessed 2026-08-13.
  5. Wikipedia. “2026 World Rally Championship.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_World_Rally_Championship. Accessed 2026-08-13.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Author

  • Emma Blackwell
    Emma Blackwell

    My love for Formula 1 started in my dad’s garage, where I spent weekends tinkering with engines. As a Bristol-born journalist, I cut my teeth at local papers before landing a gig covering F1 for a major UK outlet. Now, I’m the resident expert on all things F1, from tire strategies to team politics. When I’m not trackside, you’ll find me karting or binge-watching classic races. Read more about me and my team

    View all posts

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