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Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oliver Solberg almost doubles Rally Estonia lead as charge continues
Oliver Solberg won three of the four Saturday morning stages to extend his Rally Estonia lead as his impressive top-flight World Rally Championship return continued. The 23-year-old increased his advantage to 22.8s over Hyundai's Ott Tanak having ended Friday with a 12.4s lead. Competing in the Rally1 category for the first time since 2022, Solberg was untouchable on Saturday morning as he reeled off three more stage wins to take his event tally to six out of 12 tests. Solberg almost completed a clean sweep of stage wins only to be denied by Tanak in stage 12 by just 0.5s. The son of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg did admit that not all of his runs were perfect, but crucially he and co-driver Elliott Edmondson were faster than their more experienced Rally1 rivals. Tanak had hoped to make inroads on Solberg's overnight lead, but a couple of mistakes in stage nine (Raanitsa, 21.45 km) proved costly. The Estonian misjudged two braking points with the second causing an overshoot at a chicane and a brief stall. Tanak dropped to third behind team-mate Thierry Neuville as a result of the errors. Tanak responded in stage 10 to take the position back by 0.7s, only to drop 0.3s behind Neuville, who managed to outpace his team-mate in stage 11. Tanak fought back again in stage 12 to snatch second position from Neuville, who had to battle dust coming into the car after losing a window. Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 'Quite a few mistakes this morning. Damaging the front bumper and no front aero meant in high-speed sections like this it's quite tricky. Hopefully it'll be better than this morning,' said Tanak. Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera dropped away from the podium fight, ending the loop 17.6s adrift of Neuville. The Finn couldn't find the sweet spot with his GR Yaris package and was fighting the car in an event that he's previously won on three occasions. "It's always not the best feeling [when the pace is not there], but there's also not much else to do. You just keep going and trying,' said Rovanpera. The battle for fifth provided a close fight as Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux edged Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta by 2.8s. Championship leader Elfyn Evans maintained seventh position, but ended the loop 11.4s behind Katsuta. Toyota's Sami Pajari emerged from the loop in eighth ahead of Martins Sesks, who remained the lead M-Sport-Ford runner. Josh McErlean was lucky to escape a brief excursion into a ditch on Stage 12 to hold onto 10th ahead of team-mate Gregoire Munster. Rally Estonia - Day 3 Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Austral / Hyundai Motorsport Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, 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 Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport Elfyn Evans, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing 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 Toyota Racing Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Sami Pajari, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Takamoto Katsuta, Aaron Johnston, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, 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 Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool Grégoire Munster, Louis Louka, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Romet Jürgenson, Siim Oja, FFIA Rally Star Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally2 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Sami Pajari, Marko Salminen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing 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 Red Bull Content Pool Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Elfyn Evans, Scott Martin, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Toyota Racing Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Romain Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport Thierry Neuville, Martijn Wydaeghe, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Austral / Hyundai Motorsport Ott Tänak, Hyundai World Rally Team Austral / Hyundai Motorsport Cyril Abiteboul, Team principal Hyundai World Rally Team, Thierry Neuville, Hyundai World Rally Team Vincent Thuillier / Hyundai Motorsport Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Read Also: How Oliver Solberg's rapid WRC return shakes up Rally Estonia Estonia's Robert Virves led the WRC2 class by 31.9s from compatriot Georg Linnamae. The crews will tackle four traditional stages later today, before rounding out the day with a run through the Tartu Vale, 1.76km super special this evening. To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How Oliver Solberg's rapid WRC return shakes up Rally Estonia
Oliver Solberg has always believed in his talent, but admitted that leading Rally Estonia on his World Rally Championship Rally1 return left him surprised and speechless. 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 '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 Red Bull Content Pool Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, 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 Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport Grégoire Munster, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Red Bull Content Pool Joshua McErlean, Eoin Treacy, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 M-Sport 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 Toyota Racing Adrien Fourmaux, Alexandre Coria, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool 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 Red Bull Content Pool Oliver Solberg, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota Racing Martins Sesks, Renars Francis, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team Ford Puma Rally1 Red Bull Content Pool 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 To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oliver Solberg: WRC Rally Estonia win "biggest day of my life"
Oliver Solberg has said his stunning maiden World Rally Championship victory at Rally Estonia was the 'best day of his life' and proof that never giving up after setbacks yields results. Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson shocked the rallying world by pulling off a commanding victory on debut for the Toyota factory team, after receiving a late call-up to its Rally1 squad for the fast gravel rally. After only two test days to adjust to the GR Yaris Rally1, Solberg produced a remarkable drive to beat 2019 world champion Hyundai's Ott Tanak by 25.2s, two-and-a-half years after his last Rally1 outing. The victory arrived on his 13th top flight start, one rally fewer than what two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera achieved. Solberg led the rally from stage two onwards, where he claimed his maiden top flight WRC stage win. The son of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg racked up nine stage wins during the weekend, before bursting into tears when he met his father after crossing the finish line. 'I can't put it into words,' Oliver Solberg told 'I don't think I have fully understood what I have done, I have cried and all the emotions have overflowed. I don't know what to say, but it's the biggest day of my life. 'I was just trying to enjoy myself and take it stage by stage and when you look at the names behind you, they are big names and the fastest guys in the world. I have just been trying to do my own thing and not focus on it and it has been working quite well." Edmondson, who is now the 16th British co-driver to win a WRC round, then told 'It means, I guess, everything. We have tried so desperately to keep away from dreaming of winning. "The result is absolutely fantastic but our priority this weekend was to learn the car, and enjoy ourselves and we have absolutely achieved that so the win is a complete bonus. The feeling is absolutely incredible. It is going to take some time for it to set in.' Winners Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Solberg's journey to this breakthrough win has not come without setbacks having endured a difficult first Rally1 experience with Hyundai. The 23-year-old, who is now the third youngest WRC winner in history behind Rovanpera and Jari-Matti Latvala, admitted that at times circumstances have tested his resolve. 'We all know that never giving up is the key and always believing in myself, although it has been difficult at times,' Solberg added. 'You should always trust your feelings and your gut and go with it and always push on. I have always believed that when everything is right, it is fully possible to do great things. 'I have always believed in myself and my speed, but when you have such a fantastic team behind you to really help you believe in yourself, it is great. I have felt so comfortable all weekend. It has been so enjoyable, I have been so calm in the car and it has been beautiful.' What's next for Solberg after Rally1 breakthrough? The WRC2 points leader is due to return to the second tier at Rally Finland in two weeks' time, where he will drive a Rally2 version of the GR Yaris. Solberg is however hopeful that this victory will help him towards securing a full-time Rally1 seat in the future. 'I don't know [what the future holds], that is for other people to answer. I'll just do my best. 100% I hope [there is a drive next year],' he said. Edmondson added: 'We have hoped for [a Rally1 drive] the last few years already, but I think this is proof of what we are capable of and I certainly hope it can lead to some exciting things in the future.' Read Also: WRC Rally Estonia: Oliver Solberg dominates in shock Rally1 victory To read more articles visit our website.
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Oliver Solberg: WRC Rally Estonia win "biggest day of my life"
Oliver Solberg has said his stunning maiden World Rally Championship victory at Rally Estonia was the 'best day of his life' and proof that never giving up after setbacks yields results. Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson shocked the rallying world by pulling off a commanding victory on debut for the Toyota factory team, after receiving a late call-up to its Rally1 squad for the fast gravel rally. After only two test days to adjust to the GR Yaris Rally1, Solberg produced a remarkable drive to beat 2019 world champion Hyundai's Ott Tanak by 25.2s, two-and-a-half years after his last Rally1 outing. The victory arrived on his 13th top flight start, one rally fewer than what two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera achieved. Solberg led the rally from stage two onwards, where he claimed his maiden top flight WRC stage win. The son of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg racked up nine stage wins during the weekend, before bursting into tears when he met his father after crossing the finish line. 'I can't put it into words,' Oliver Solberg told 'I don't think I have fully understood what I have done, I have cried and all the emotions have overflowed. I don't know what to say, but it's the biggest day of my life. 'I was just trying to enjoy myself and take it stage by stage and when you look at the names behind you, they are big names and the fastest guys in the world. I have just been trying to do my own thing and not focus on it and it has been working quite well." Edmondson, who is now the 16th British co-driver to win a WRC round, then told 'It means, I guess, everything. We have tried so desperately to keep away from dreaming of winning. "The result is absolutely fantastic but our priority this weekend was to learn the car, and enjoy ourselves and we have absolutely achieved that so the win is a complete bonus. The feeling is absolutely incredible. It is going to take some time for it to set in.' Winners Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 Solberg's journey to this breakthrough win has not come without setbacks having endured a difficult first Rally1 experience with Hyundai. The 23-year-old, who is now the third youngest WRC winner in history behind Rovanpera and Jari-Matti Latvala, admitted that at times circumstances have tested his resolve. 'We all know that never giving up is the key and always believing in myself, although it has been difficult at times,' Solberg added. 'You should always trust your feelings and your gut and go with it and always push on. I have always believed that when everything is right, it is fully possible to do great things. 'I have always believed in myself and my speed, but when you have such a fantastic team behind you to really help you believe in yourself, it is great. I have felt so comfortable all weekend. It has been so enjoyable, I have been so calm in the car and it has been beautiful.' What's next for Solberg after Rally1 breakthrough? The WRC2 points leader is due to return to the second tier at Rally Finland in two weeks' time, where he will drive a Rally2 version of the GR Yaris. Solberg is however hopeful that this victory will help him towards securing a full-time Rally1 seat in the future. 'I don't know [what the future holds], that is for other people to answer. I'll just do my best. 100% I hope [there is a drive next year],' he said. Edmondson added: 'We have hoped for [a Rally1 drive] the last few years already, but I think this is proof of what we are capable of and I certainly hope it can lead to some exciting things in the future.' Read Also: WRC Rally Estonia: Oliver Solberg dominates in shock Rally1 victory To read more articles visit our website.
TimesLIVE
20-07-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Solberg wins maiden WRC title in Estonia
Sweden's Oliver Solberg claimed a stunning maiden World Rally Championship (WRC) victory at Rally Estonia on Sunday, nearly 20 years after his father Petter Solberg won the last of his 13 WRC races. The win marked Toyota's 100th in the WRC. Solberg extended his lead with composure to seal a 25.2 second win over home favourite and 2019 world champion Ott Tanak and the Estonian's Hyundai teammate Thierry Neuville finished third. On his debut in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, the 23-year-old Solberg and Briton co-driver Elliott Edmondson were drafted in for a one-off drive a few weeks prior to the rally and had only two days of testing. "After everything, so many years trying and trying and trying and dreaming, and me and Elliott finally made it," Solberg said. "I just want to say thank you to Toyota, to the test team who helped me get so comfortable, for all the help this weekend from this beautiful, beautiful team. I've never had such a good time in my life." Solberg got off to a flying start, winning Friday's opening stage and taking a lead he did not relinquish all weekend. He carried a 21.1-second overnight lead into Sunday's final three stages, where he emerged untroubled by the tricky grip in slick, damp conditions. Hyundai's Tanak battled inconsistent grip and Neuville, who started the day four seconds behind, was handed a 10-second penalty for a false start on special stage 18 and finished 23.1 seconds back in third. However, Tanak snatched the championship lead from Toyota's Elfyn Evans by a single point, with the Briton managing a sixth place finish in Estonia. Toyota, who have won every rally so far this year except for Greece, also tightened their grip on the manufacturers' race with 399 points to Hyundai's 347. Solberg's father Petter, who represented Norway, won 13 WRC races from 2002 to 2005.
