How Oliver Solberg's rapid WRC return shakes up Rally Estonia
Solberg made the most of an opportunity from Toyota to join its Rally1 ranks this weekend, ending Friday with a 12.8s lead over Hyundai's Ott Tanak.
After only finding out about the drive 24 hours after winning the WRC2 class in Greece last month, Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson have had only two test days to get to grips with the GR Yaris Rally1 car before heading to Estonia.
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
However, the pair quickly gelled with the car evidenced by a stunning performance that included taking not only their first WRC stage win, but three fastest stage times.
While Solberg did have an advantageous starting position, the 23-year-old delivered impressive pace throughout in what was his first Rally1 drive since 2022, when he shared Hyundai's third factory i20 N with veteran Dani Sordo.
'Today was the best day of my life — to lead the rally, win stages and have this amazing feeling in the car, said Solberg.
'I have had every single emotion today I think. When I was on my way back to the service park I was thinking 'wow what is actually going on', it has been incredible.
'Absolutely [I have surprised myself] I don't have enough experience in the car, and I don't know how many times the others have driven the car. I'm speechless.
'For sure, you are trying and I made some small mistakes but nothing dangerous. There were no problems in that sense, so I was just trying to drive my rhythm with the experience that I have at the minute. I just tried to be clean and the car is working really well underneath me to give me the confidence to drive like that.'
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
When asked what was the key to the success, he added: 'The team has been amazing in helping me find a direction that works for me. It is a bit different maybe but it has been working well for me.
'I have been trying many different things and today, trying things to learn more about the car in the different conditions, sometimes it is a bit better and sometimes not.'
Solberg's pace hasn't come as a surprise to Toyota, with the team closely monitoring his performances driving a Toytoa GR Yaris Rally2 to the top of the WRC2 standings this year.
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Still, Toyota Gazoo Racing's technical director Tom Fowler admitted that Solberg leading the rally by such a margin has been impressive and has come as a shock.
"For sure we know that Oliver is a fast guy and he had a great road position, maybe I'm biased but I think he has a good car, so all the ingredients were there to have a really good first day," Fowler told Motorsport.com.
'To be leading outright and with a gap is also probably a little bit more than anyone was expecting. He seems to be fully under control and not taking any risks. Of course, for the main team it would be better points-wise if we had one of our manufacturer points scoring drivers there, but he's driving a Toyota and the whole team is behind him.
'The composure he has shown and the level of maturity that he has shown is far and above the most important thing compared to what he is doing in terms of the driving. He is a driver of one of our Rally2 cars and we look at his data on a regular basis and we are well aware he can drive a car, but there is a lot more to being a top rally driver than just operating the pedals and the steering wheel. He is doing everything really well.'
Toyota team strategy in Rally Estonia
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Historically, Toyota doesn't impose team orders among its drivers, and if Solberg continues his pace across the weekend he will be able to fight for the victory.
'Absolutely, as you are aware from history the drivers are number one at Toyota when they are the fastest and it is a simple formula,' added Fowler.
'Of course if a battle arises where the risk becomes very high then as a team we need to advise all of our drivers as to what is the best course of action going forwards. At the moment everything is under control and if he continues like this he is in with a really good shout to battle until the end.'
Does Solberg feel the pressure yet?
Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Leading a WRC event outright is a new feeling for Solberg, so what will his approach be for Saturday's nine stages, comprising 125.76 kilometres?
'I don't know,' he says, adding, 'I will drive the same tomorrow. I don't have the experience yet to step it up one more step and I don't want to either as that is not why I'm here. I want to have the same feeling and do my best and see how it goes.'
Rally Estonia - Day 2
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 with the police
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Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
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Grégoire Munster, Louis Louka, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
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Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
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Grégoire Munster, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
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Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
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Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
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Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
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Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
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Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Toyota Racing
Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
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Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Red Bull Content Pool
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Red Bull Content Pool
Adrien Fourmaux, Hyundai World Rally Team
Red Bull Content Pool
Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Martins Sesks, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team
Red Bull Content Pool
Thierry Neuville, Hyundai World Rally Team
Red Bull Content Pool
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Red Bull Content Pool
Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Red Bull Content Pool
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Grégoire Munster, Louis Louka, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1
M-Sport
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Toyota Racing
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Austral / Hyundai Motorsport
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Toyota Racing
Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Toyota Racing
Read Also:
Oliver Solberg stuns WRC field to lead Rally Estonia on Rally1 return
Oliver Solberg continues dream Rally1 return to extend WRC Estonia lead
The key questions ahead of WRC Rally Estonia
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