The young Swede completed a superb season in the WRC2 category, securing the title already in September at Rally Chile. His campaign did not end there: he continued to gather experience – and more success – in all remaining rounds of the season.
Solberg was the top Rally2 driver in the Central European Rally, in Japan and again at Rally Saudi Arabia, held last weekend. In Saudi Arabia he said goodbye to Toyota’s Rally2 car and to the Printsport team that had run him. Next year he steps up to become a factory driver for Toyota in the top class of the World Rally Championship.
“When we signed for this at the start of the year, we were really hoping this could be the one when we took the WRC2 title. We had been fast and won many rallies in the previous two seasons, but we really wanted the championship,” Solberg said.
“Everything clicked with Printsport – everybody in that team has been just amazing – and the Toyota was perfect for me. From the start of the year, we felt comfortable with the Yaris and with the whole set-up. When you have that kind of feeling and these kind of people around you, you can make this sort of story. It’s been fantastic.”
Solberg already drove Toyota’s Rally1 car at Rally Estonia in the summer – and sensationally won on his debut. Now he will not have to wait long for his next outing in Toyota’s top-level machine, as he is set to contest a test rally in France this coming weekend.
He will sample the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 at the Dévoluy winter rally, which features stages in the same region used for Rallye Monte-Carlo. The event offers an ideal warm-up for the 2026 season opener, scheduled for late January.
Solberg will also be able to compare his speed against another World Rally Championship star. Hyundai has entered Adrien Fourmaux for the event in one of its Rally1 cars. The Frenchman also competed in the Dévoluy rally last year.
Hyundai has yet to officially announce Fourmaux’s deal for next season, but his participation in the French event effectively confirms his continuation with the team.
Rallye du Dévoluy features ten special stages, run next Saturday and Sunday.
