Evans, a five-time runner-up, secured the title when rival Oliver Solberg crashed with less than 100 metres remaining on the final stage. The 37-year-old Toyota driver becomes the first British world champion in 25 years, following in the footsteps of Colin McRae (1995) and Richard Burns (2001).
Evans and co-driver Scott Martin had led the championship for much of the season and carried a 21-point advantage into the final round. That lead had been reduced to a single point by the time the drivers lined up for the last of 17 stages. Solberg needed only to beat his Toyota team-mate on the Power Stage to claim the title on bonus points, but crashed two corners from the finish.
“It hasn’t sunk in,” a shocked Evans said afterwards. “I was sure it was over. I feel for Oliver, he had an incredible weekend. I don’t know what to say.”
Solberg, 25, won the rally by almost a minute ahead of nine-time champion Sebastien Ogier, but the late crash left him five points behind Evans in the final standings. “Two corners, two corners,” an emotional Solberg said. “First congratulations to Elfyn, he has been very consistent all season. That I even had a shot after my rollercoaster of a season is incredible. I tried everything.”
Evans finished fifth overall on the rally, while Sami Pajari completed a Toyota one-two-three in the championship standings. The season had been reduced to 13 rounds after the planned Saudi Arabia event was cancelled.
The result ends years of near-misses for Evans, who had previously lost the title on the final day on three occasions.