Who was the first World Rally Champion for drivers?

Björn Waldegård was the first World Rally Champion for drivers, winning the inaugural drivers’ title in 1979.

The drivers’ championship was introduced alongside the World Rally Championship in 1979. Driving for Ford and Mercedes-Benz during the season, Waldegård secured the title after finishing second in the final round, the Rally Côte d’Ivoire. He edged Ford teammate Hannu Mikkola in the championship standings.

Waldegård was already an accomplished international rally driver before the title. He won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1969 and 1970, then captured major events including the Swedish, Safari, Acropolis and RAC rallies. His victories came in cars such as the Porsche 911, Lancia Stratos, Ford Escort RS1800, Mercedes-Benz 500 SLC and Toyota Celica.

Walter Röhrl, Sandro Munari and Jean-Luc Thérier were major stars of the same era, but none was the first drivers’ champion. Waldegård later won 16 World Rally Championship events and remained active at the top level into the early 1990s.