Elfyn edges ahead in WRC title fight with second at Islas Canarias

Sensational drive sees Welshman return to top spot in the championship

Elfyn moved back into the lead of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship after a sensational second on Rally Islas Canarias, bolstered by a full sweep of Sunday points, to edge back ahead of team-mate Taka Katsuta.

Elfyn made a solid start to the first full asphalt event of the season, which was characterised by small time gaps and flat-out racing all weekend. 

He traded times with his Toyota Gazoo Racing team-mates on Friday, but never quite got to grips with the twisty, high-speed roads across the island. He battled on and eventually round out the first full day in fourth place, just half a second adrift of the podium places.

Saturday, however, was a more positive day and began with Elfyn sealing two stage wins on the day’s opening two tests. With a better rhythm and more confidence, he extended that pace throughout the afternoon and ended the day in third.

He built on that momentum during Sunday, securing all the additional points on offer by winning the Power Stage by 2.7s and heading the Super Sunday classification, on his way to finishing runner-up to team-mate Sebastien Ogier.

That second place, coupled with the crucial extra points saw Elfyn edge into the series lead by two points. That means he will open the road on Rally Portugal, an event renowned for its loose gravel and road cleaning.