Founded in 1977, Rally Islas Canarias first joined the WRC in 2025 and is based in Las Palmas on Gran Canaria. The 2026 V2.2 route planned 18 stages covering 301.30 kilometres; 17 timed stages were completed.
Smooth asphalt and sequences of medium- and high-speed corners emphasise linking lines and carrying speed. Maritime weather can still change the road conditions, as changeable Atlantic weather did on Saturday in 2026.
In 2026, Ogier took his first victory of the season, followed by Evans, Pajari and Katsuta. Evans separately won the Super Sunday and Power Stage bonus classifications.
Rally history
Founded in 1977: Beginning on Gran Canaria, the event’s high-quality asphalt stages gradually made it one of the Canary Islands’ annual sporting showcases.
An ERC classic: Long a European Rally Championship round, it has served as a development ground for many European champions and WRC drivers.
WRC entry in 2025: After gaining world championship status, its high-standard organisation and flowing stages immediately received broad praise from drivers.
Ogier’s 2026 victory: The nine-time world champion used his trademark consistency to take his first win of the season, with Toyota occupying the top four overall positions.
Rally characteristics
Asphalt surfaces: Smooth mountain roads and sequences of medium- and high-speed corners test the linking of racing lines; tyre condition and weather also affect actual grip.
Flowing corner sequences: Successive medium- and high-speed corners test rhythm and precise gear changes, with fluency translating directly into stage times.
Compact island setting: Stages are concentrated in a part of Gran Canaria, making transfers efficient and spectating convenient, with a crisp competitive rhythm.
Maritime weather: Changeable Atlantic weather affected Saturday in 2026. Conditions are not stable throughout the year, so tyre choice must still account for local changes.
2026 WRC Rally Islas Canarias · Data review
2026-4-26, Sébastien Ogier recorded 2h 43m 18.9s to win on Gran Canaria, beating Evans by 19.9 seconds for his first victory of the season. Pajari was third and Takamoto Katsuta fourth as Toyota took the top four overall places. The event planned 18 stages, with 17 timed stages completed.
Overall results · Top three
Position
Driver
Car
Total time / gap to winner
1
Sébastien Ogier
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
2:43:18.9
2
Elfyn Evans
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
+19.9 s
3
Sami Pajari
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
+1:40.8
Event highlights
A pursuit within 2.2 seconds: Ogier led from Friday’s first mountain stage, but his advantage never exceeded 9 seconds over the first two full days. Solberg closed to 2.2 seconds on Sunday, then ran wide over a crest on the penultimate SS17, hitting a barrier, damaging the left front of his car and retiring.
Weather still changes the conditions: Changeable Atlantic weather affected Saturday’s competition, when Evans won three stages. The island’s sequences of asphalt corners test how well drivers link their speed, while weather changes make reading the road and tyre condition more difficult.
A different winner in Sunday’s points: Evans finished runner-up in the rally and won both Super Sunday and the Power Stage, regaining the drivers’ championship lead. Pajari finished 1m 40.8s behind the winner, with Katsuta another 10.4 seconds behind Pajari.
Event facts at a glance
Item
Data
Location
Las Palmas, Spain
2026 timed stages
17 (originally 18 planned)
2026 planned stage distance
301.30 kilometres (4-16 V2.2)
Surface type
High-speed asphalt
First held
1977
Most recent winner
Sébastien Ogier (Toyota, 2026)
2026 event record
Toyota takes the top four overall places (2026)
Also known as
“The Atlantic asphalt jewel”
Rally Islas Canarias was founded in 1977 and first joined the WRC in 2025. The 2026 V2.2 itinerary listed 18 planned stages and 301.30 kilometres; the event ultimately completed 17 timed stages.
Information updated: 2026-10-3
Rally data
Stages17 (originally planned: 18) 个
Total stage distance301.30 km (planned)
SurfaceHigh-speed asphalt
Most recent winnerSébastien OgierToyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
