Rally Sweden has wrapped up in spectacular fashion, delivering one of the most dramatic winter showdowns in recent memory. Snowbanks, razor-thin margins, and relentless pace defined the weekend — but in the end, it was precision and patience that conquered the ice.
Evans Makes It Back-to-Back in Sweden
Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin produced a masterclass in consistency to secure their first win of the 2026 season and a remarkable third career victory in Sweden. It was also a back-to-back triumph at this iconic winter rally.
Evans 💬
“It was a clean run through. There was a bit more grip than what it looked like. It looked much more loose so probably not as good as it could have been.”
That calm assessment summed up their approach — measured, composed, and clinical when it mattered most.
A Weekend of Twists at the Top
The rally was far from straightforward. Oliver Solberg electrified Friday by leading the event and thrilling home fans. But the snowbanks bit back on Saturday, costing him valuable time and shifting the momentum.
Meanwhile, Takamoto Katsuta mounted a serious charge, with the Toyota duo holding a slender 2.8-second lead heading into the decisive stages. The fight was intense, the margins microscopic.
When the dust — or rather snow — settled, it was a Toyota lockout at the top:
🥇 Evans
🥈 Katsuta
🥉 Sami Pajari
4. Solberg
Behind them, Hyundai Motorsport struggled to match the pace, filling positions five through seven, with Adrien Fourmaux leading their charge in fifth. M-Sport Ford rounded out the top ten with Jon Armstrong and Josh McErlean.
Championship Shake-Up
The victory reshapes the championship standings:
Evans – 60 points (Championship leader)
Solberg – 47 points
Katsuta – 30 points
In the manufacturers’ battle, Toyota Gazoo Racing extends its dominance with 117 points, well ahead of Hyundai on 66 points.
The momentum is firmly with Toyota — but the season is far from settled.
Next Stop: Africa’s Ultimate Challenge
From snow and ice to dust and rock. The championship now heads to the toughest rally on the calendar — Safari Rally Kenya, kicking off March 12th.
If Sweden tested precision, Kenya will test survival.
The race is still on. And the road ahead is only getting tougher.
Rally Fanatics 
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