Solberg has been a much-talked-about name in rally circles for years. He’s long been compared to the likes of Kalle Rovanperä – a generational talent carving his own path, albeit one that’s taken a little longer.
Solberg got his first shot in the top class of the WRC back in 2021. He made an immediate impression in his debut with Hyundai’s WRC car at the Arctic Rally in Rovaniemi, where he set some stage times close to the front-runners.
In the 2022 season, Solberg drove most of the rallies in Hyundai’s Rally1-spec hybrid machine. The year featured a few moments of promise – but also major mistakes.
Arguably the lowest point of his career came at Rally Finland three years ago. Solberg crashed out hard just moments into the first forest stage when his Hyundai hit a rock and flew off into the woods in Laukaa. The young driver was left sitting in despair atop a mound, reflecting on his fate.
A few months later, Hyundai dropped him from the team. Solberg had to do some serious work on himself.
“It took four months mentally to get back. I did my best two rallies after Finland. But I’ve always believed I can do it. I always believed it’s possible,” Solberg recalled after last weekend’s sensational victory at Rally Estonia.
Since the start of the 2023 season, Solberg has been competing in the WRC2 category. For 2024, he switched to the Toyota Rally2 car run by the Printsport team – and he’s been outstanding in the second tier.
Eventually, Toyota handed him an opportunity to prove himself in a Rally1 car at Rally Estonia – and the 23-year-old Swede immediately showed he belongs in the top class.
“When everything works around you and everything’s just calm, you can just do your thing and have fun with what you want to do. And finally, I proved to myself this weekend that everything I’ve believed in – that’s what I’ve been working for. There’s a purpose,” Solberg reflected.
A dream come true awaited him at the Rally Estonia finish line. Solberg celebrated his first WRC win to the fullest, surrounded by family and loved ones.
“We’ve always done this together as a family, but it’s not always been easy. Not everybody in the world likes it, but that’s just how we are. We’ve always believed and always fought,” Solberg emphasised.
Next week, Solberg will compete in Rally Finland, where he’ll return to the Toyota Rally2 car to fight for WRC2 points.
