Welsh driver Elfyn Evans has reclaimed the World Rally Championship lead after finishing second behind Sebastien Ogier at Rally Islas Canarias.

The 37-year-old now holds a narrow two-point advantage over Toyota team-mate Takamoto Katsuta following the fifth round of the 14-race season.

He secured his position at the summit by collecting a maximum 10 Sunday bonus points alongside the 17 awarded for his runner-up finish.

Toyota dominate Spanish stages

Eight-time world champion Ogier secured his first victory of the campaign, crossing the line 19.9 seconds ahead of the new championship leader.

Toyota Gazoo Racing completely controlled the asphalt event, locking out the top four positions on the final leaderboard.

Finnish prospect Sami Pajari claimed the final spot on the podium, while Katsuta and his Irish co-driver Aaron Johnston finished fourth.

“It has been a solid weekend,” said Evans.

“It was a poor start and that put us out of the fight for the win.

“I have had mixed feelings, but congrats to Seb, he has driven an exceptional weekend.”

Solberg suffers late heartbreak

The Japanese manufacturer had been on course to claim an unprecedented top-five sweep before disaster struck for Oliver Solberg.

The Rally Monte Carlo winner crashed out on the penultimate stage after dominating earlier sessions with six stage victories.

Trailing the leading Frenchman by just two seconds, the 22-year-old was forced to retire his heavily damaged Yaris and left the Spanish island without scoring.

Armstrong faces steep learning curve

Elsewhere, Josh McErlean delivered a respectable eighth-place finish for M-Sport Ford.

His Motorsport Ireland team-mate Jon Armstrong endured a far more bruising encounter to finish 11th in his debut top-flight season.

The Fermanagh native lost more than two minutes on Saturday when spectators were forced to push his stranded car back onto the road.

“It has been quite a challenging weekend, there is no doubt about that,” said the 31-year-old rookie.

“It has taken a long time to get on top of a tyre on this rally.”

“It has not been a great rally, but sometimes you will have worse ones than good ones.”

Looking ahead to Portugal

The teams now have a brief respite before the championship shifts to gravel for round six in Portugal from 7 May.

The top of the provisional drivers’ standings remains incredibly tight as the current season approaches its midway point.

Rally Islas Canarias Top 5

WRC Championship Standings

Former Formula 1 driver Jos Verstappen has escaped without injury after his car flipped and collided with a tree during a severe crash at the Rally of Wallonia on Sunday.

The Dutchman, father of reigning world champion Max Verstappen, was competing alongside co-driver Jesper Vermeulen when their vehicle slid off the circuit.

Images from the accident scene showed their Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 overturned in foliage with severe structural damage and a torn-off wheel.

Despite the heavy impact, the rally veteran confirmed to GPblog that he was entirely unharmed following the terrifying incident.

“All good.”

Impressive fightback cut short

The duo were forced to withdraw from the tarmac event following the high-speed collision.

It concluded a dramatic weekend for the driver, whose vehicle was already carrying damage from an earlier incident during the fourth stage.

He had managed an impressive recovery drive on Saturday to reach third place behind leaders Adrian Fernemont and Maxime Potty before disaster struck.

The Wallonia route is renowned for its technical challenges, combining exceptionally tight, winding roads with remarkably quick sections.

Late co-driver change

The former grand prix racer was competing without his usual navigator for this year’s edition of the demanding event.

Regular co-driver Renaud Jamoul was unavailable to participate as he continues his recovery following surgery on an ankle problem.

Fortunately, neither the stand-in Vermeulen nor the driver sustained any serious injuries when their campaign came to an abrupt end.

Meanwhile, his son Max continues to navigate a turbulent period in his own Formula 1 career amid speculation regarding his long-term future in the sport.

The Red Bull superstar recently questioned the expanding calendar and sweeping regulation changes, admitting that enjoyment has occasionally been stripped out of racing.

“You also wait for 24 races. And then you just think about is it worth it? Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you’re not enjoying your sport?”

NASCAR majority owner Jim France is stepping down from his role as chief executive, with president Steve O’Donnell set to become the first non-family member to lead the racing series.

France, who has held the top position since 2019, will retain his majority ownership stake and remain as chairman of the organisation.

The historic leadership change is expected to be officially announced at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Saturday.

O’Donnell’s appointment marks a monumental shift for a motorsport property that was founded by Bill France Sr in 1948 and has always been guided by a family member.

Management restructuring continues

Alongside the change at the very top, France’s great-nephew Ben Kennedy will be promoted to the position of chief operating officer.

The outgoing executive originally took control of the boardroom following the sudden resignation of his nephew, Brian France, five years ago.

Legal battles and recent controversy

This major transition follows a tumultuous period for the American stock car racing series, highlighted by a bruising anti-trust lawsuit.

The racing magnate adopted a hardline stance during negotiations for the 2025 revenue-sharing agreement, which triggered legal action from Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.

A settlement was eventually reached in December, granting competing teams the permanent charter agreements they had been demanding.

Testimony struggles and Phelps exit

During the recent anti-trust trial, the softly spoken chairman faced difficulties during his first day of testimony, repeatedly needing questions clarified and struggling to recall specific topics before recovering on the second day.

The courtroom drama also led to the high-profile departure of NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps earlier this year.

Phelps was forced to resign after inflammatory text messages sent during the contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were made public during the legal proceedings.

Former Formula 1 driver Allan McNish has been appointed as the new racing director of the Audi F1 team ahead of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.

The Scot steps into the crucial trackside position following the departure of Jonathan Wheatley as team principal last month.

Having served as a long-time board adviser, the 56-year-old has been deeply involved with the German manufacturer’s premier motorsport project since its inception.

Extensive motorsport pedigree

Taking charge of his new responsibilities from 1 May in Florida, his remit covers engineering coordination, race strategy, driver management, and garage operations.

The newly appointed director brings an impressive racing pedigree to the pit wall, having previously secured three victories at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.

Alongside winning the 2013 world endurance championship, the motorsport veteran successfully managed the marque’s Formula E squad.

The former Toyota driver will also retain his current duties heading up the company’s young driver programme.

Management restructuring continues

In this newly created executive structure, he will report directly to Mattia Binotto.

Binotto recently assumed a dual role as chief executive officer and team principal for the nascent operation.

This appointment marks the latest significant management reshuffle as the manufacturer continues vital preparations for its full grid entry.

Expressing his pride in the appointment, the incoming racing director emphasized the scale of the task ahead.

“This is a marque that means a lot to me and it is an honour to be able to represent Audi and our partners on the most prestigious stage in motorsports.”

“This is an exciting challenge at a pivotal moment in the history of Audi and F1, and I am looking forward to contributing even more directly to our trackside performance.”

“The project we are building is ambitious, and my focus will be on ensuring that all aspects of our race operations are delivering at their most competitive level and continuously improving.”

Exceptional leadership

Binotto praised his new colleague’s vast technical understanding and pivotal contributions to their groundwork so far.

“Allan brings an exceptional combination of racing experience, technical understanding and leadership to this role.”

“He has been a central part of the motorsport structure of Audi for many years and has played a key role in shaping our preparation for F1, not least with his work around technical partnerships.”

The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar from 2027 after agreeing a new five-year deal to race at Istanbul Park.

The iconic venue, renowned for its challenging anti-clockwise layout, will remain on the motorsport schedule until at least 2031.

It marks a permanent return for the circuit, which previously stepped in to host standalone races during the pandemic-disrupted 2020 and 2021 campaigns.

Calendar changes and European rotation

Turkey joins Portugal’s Portimao circuit as a returning track for the 2027 season.

These additions coincide with a broader shake-up of the European race schedule.

The Dutch Grand Prix will drop off the calendar at the end of the current campaign, while the historic circuits of Barcelona and Spa-Francorchamps will now rotate to host biannual events.

‘A vibrant city and challenging circuit’

Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali expressed his excitement about returning to a track beloved by both drivers and fans.

“We are delighted to be returning to the incredible and vibrant city of Istanbul from 2027 to thrill all our fans in Turkey and around the world on one of the most exciting and challenging circuits in Formula 1.”

The Italian executive highlighted the city’s status as a cultural gateway between Europe and Asia.

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan views the multi-year agreement as a reflection of the strong global confidence placed in the transcontinental nation.

“As Turkey, we will once again fulfil this trust by delivering a flawless organisation in every respect, just as we have done in the past.”

Turn 8 and historic moments

First introduced to the pinnacle of motorsport in 2005, the Turkish venue quickly became famous for its punishing Turn 8.

The multi-apex, high-speed left-hander subjects drivers to immense g-forces and remains one of the most demanding corners in the sport.

The circuit has subsequently hosted several defining moments in modern racing history.

Red Bull team-mates Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber infamously collided there while fighting for the lead of the 2010 race.

A decade later, Lewis Hamilton secured a record-equalling seventh world championship following a masterclass in treacherous wet conditions.

With Turkey’s return officially confirmed, 24 tracks now hold contracts for the 2027 season, meaning any potential new races in locations like Thailand or Africa will have to wait until at least 2028.

Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen is expected to leave Red Bull at the end of the season after his long-standing race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase agreed to join rivals McLaren.

The departure of the Dutchman’s trusted trackside ally has sparked intense speculation about his own future with the Milton Keynes-based team.

Former British driver Johnny Herbert believes the engineer’s exit is a clear indication that the reigning champion is preparing to invoke a performance-related release clause in his contract.

The defending constructors’ champions have endured a surprisingly difficult start to the current campaign, leaving their star driver with just 12 points from the opening three rounds.

End of an era at Red Bull?

If the four-time world champion is not sitting second or higher in the drivers’ standings by the summer break, he is legally permitted to walk away.

Lambiase has been a constant presence in the driver’s ear throughout his dominant title-winning years, forging one of the paddock’s most famous working relationships.

Herbert suggested that the timing of the engineer’s move to a resurgent McLaren points to a broader exodus from the current champions.

“Is this move almost confirmation in a way that Max is on his way at the end of the season too?”

Johnny Herbert

Rivals circling for champion’s signature

A potential departure would trigger an unprecedented bidding war among Formula 1’s elite manufacturers.

Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes are all considered viable destinations should the grid’s most dominant force decide to seek a new challenge.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been a long-term admirer of the fiercely competitive racer and previously attempted to sign him earlier in the season.

“We know he’s very hungry to race in something that gives him that buzz.”

Johnny Herbert

The behind-the-scenes instability adds further pressure on a management structure that has already seen significant upheaval and key staff departures over recent months.

McLaren have signed 11-year-old karting prodigy Harry Williams to their driver development programme, making the British prospect the youngest recruit in the team’s history.

The Cheshire native joins the prestigious setup two years younger than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was upon his arrival in 1998.

Before this historic acquisition, Ella Hakkinen, daughter of double Formula 1 title winner Mika Hakkinen, held the record as the youngest active member after joining at the age of 14 last year.

Current lead driver Lando Norris also honed his craft through the same pathway, entering the system as a 17-year-old before establishing himself at the pinnacle of motorsport.

Building a future racing pipeline

The Woking-based outfit views this early recruitment strategy as essential for securing elite talent across multiple top-tier racing categories.

Alessandro Aluni Bravi, McLaren’s chief business affairs officer, emphasised that the primary focus for the youngster remains entirely on his natural progression rather than immediate results.

“Our goal is to build a consistent pipeline, laddering into our race programmes in F1, IndyCar and the World Endurance Championship for many years to come, and adding Harry as a talented young karter demonstrates this.”
“For this driver, I think there is no target, no pressure other than enjoy karting to get maximum experience, but also to understand what does it mean to be a McLaren driver.”

A rapidly rising motorsport prospect

The British schoolboy only began his competitive karting journey in 2021 but has already amassed an impressive array of junior racing accolades.

He recently secured the 2025 British Open Championship alongside claiming the prestigious O plate in the Italian Waterswift Series.

A strong fifth-place finish in the European Waterswift Championship further cemented his status as one of the continent’s most promising young racers.

“I am really excited to join the McLaren driver development programme. They’re known for developing talent, so it’s great to join the team as I continue to progress in karting and into single-seater racing in the future.”

Mercedes driver George Russell has revealed he feels unexpectedly grounded in his first Formula 1 world title fight, attributing his calm mindset to lessons learned during his childhood karting career.

The 28-year-old officially opened a new karting facility at Silverstone on Wednesday, bringing his two-decade motorsport journey full circle.

When the Briton joined the Silver Arrows in 2022, he anticipated an immediate championship battle alongside then team-mate Lewis Hamilton.

However, his promotion from Williams coincided with a significant dip in the team’s dominant form following their controversial 2021 campaign against Max Verstappen.

Focusing on the daily process

Now that the Brackley-based squad are finally back at the front of the grid, their lead driver insists his approach remains entirely unchanged.

“I was a bit surprised about that myself. I’m just going about my process day to day.” George Russell
“Every time I get in a race car, I don’t think about the big picture, which is winning the championship.”

Instead of fixating on the overall standings, the former junior champion prioritises extracting maximum performance during qualifying and executing flawless race starts.

He acknowledges the unique intensity of the current season but maintains that his psychological approach is entirely natural rather than a forced coping mechanism.

Childhood lessons endure

“It’s just the mentality I’ve always had since I was a kid. Probably what my father ingrained in me, fighting for karting championships as a 10-year-old.” George Russell

Having outperformed the seven-time world champion Hamilton in two of their three seasons together, the current title contender clearly thrives under intense pressure.

Although the sporting stakes in motorsport’s premier class are exponentially higher, the fundamental requirements to win remain identical to those early days on the kart track.