WRC – Ogier Leads Solberg by 3.8s at Rally Islas Canarias Saturday

The second leg of WRC 2026 – Rally Islas Canarias – Saturday delivered an intense strategic showdown as the field tackled the changing asphalt roads of Gran Canaria. Sébastien Ogier managed to retain his lead, though his initial advantage was slashed to just 3.8 seconds by a hard-charging Oliver Solberg. Rain and damp patches during the morning loop tested the tire choices and confidence of the crews, particularly on the grueling 28.90km Moya Gáldar test. Toyota Gazoo Racing demonstrated remarkable dominance throughout the day, successfully occupying every position within the top five of the overall standings as the rally approaches its final day.

Asphalt Challenges and Morning Rain

Morning conditions at the event were highly unpredictable, with intermittent rain creating a mixture of dry and slick surfaces on the mountain passes. Grip levels fluctuated rapidly during the Arucas Firgas Teror and Moya Gáldar stages, forcing drivers to adapt their braking points constantly. Elfyn Evans thrived in these tricky settings, securing two stage wins early on to solidify his grip on the final podium position. Despite a minor brush with the armco, Solberg showed immense pace in the damp, taking time out of Ogier to set up a thrilling confrontation for the remaining kilometers of the competition.

Toyota Dominance and Hyundai Struggles

Strategy played a pivotal role during the afternoon loop as the roads began to dry out under the Spanish sun. While Toyota Gazoo Racing enjoyed a comfortable lockout of the lead pack, Hyundai Motorsport faced a more difficult climb through the order. Adrien Fourmaux emerged as the leading Hyundai representative, moving ahead of local favorite Dani Sordo during the morning sessions. Championship leader Takamoto Katsuta remained in the fight for the top five despite struggling with confidence on the high-grip sections. The technical parity between the GR Yaris Rally1 machines allowed for incredibly tight margins, with Solberg and Ogier even recording identical times on stage eleven.

Late Drama and WRC2 Standings

The final stage of the day nearly derailed the progress of M-Sport Ford’s Jon Armstrong, who went off the road late in the Moya Gáldar repeat. Thanks to the assistance of spectators, he was able to return to the road and reach the service park despite significant bodywork damage. In the WRC2 category, Yohan Rossel continues to showcase his asphalt expertise for Lancia, maintaining a healthy lead of 27.5 seconds. The battle for the secondary podium spots in WRC2 remains microscopic, with Alejandro Cachón and Léo Rossel separated by a mere 0.2 seconds as they head into the decisive Sunday loop.

Title Fight Heading to Sunday Finale

With only four stages remaining, the pressure is squarely on Ogier to defend his slim margin against the relentless Solberg. Sunday will introduce new stages to the itinerary, which Ogier believes will favor those who can adapt quickly to fresh pace notes. The final passes of Ingenio Valsequillo and Santa Lucía Agüimes will determine if Toyota can maintain its perfect sweep of the top positions. Every second will be critical as Solberg looks to overturn the 3.8-second deficit and secure a landmark victory against the eight-time world champion in the treacherous Canary Island mountains.

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Source: WRC