Solberg has already competed in all his points-scoring rounds, so he can no longer influence the outcome directly. He currently leads the championship with 123 points, having secured three wins, two second places, and a fourth.
In second place in the standings is Frenchman Yohan Rossel, trailing Solberg by 12 points. Rossel has also completed all his points-scoring rounds, leaving him with no chance at the title.
However, Pajari’s championship hopes are still alive. The Finnish driver is the only one of the three who will compete in the season-ending Rally Japan from 21-24 November.
Pajari can secure the title if he finishes in the top two in Japan. Like Solberg, Pajari has three wins, along with one second and one third-place finish.
While Solberg’s title hopes aren’t in his own hands, he’s counting on some support from his rivals. Solberg won’t be driving in Japan, but his teammate Gus Greensmith will. The Brit has declared he’ll do everything he can in Japan to finish ahead of Pajari, potentially aiding his teammate in the title battle.
“I think I will buy a lot of beers to him (as a reward, if he manages to beat Pajari),” Solberg laughed to RallyJournal.com after the Central European Rally.
However, that alone won’t be enough. In addition to Greensmith, at least one other driver would also need to finish ahead of Pajari for Solberg to clinch the WRC2 title.
“I need a few friends,” Solberg admitted.
After Rally Chile at the end of September, there was a notable incident when Solberg filed a complaint over the notional time Rossel received on Special Stage 11. Solberg suffered a puncture, and Rossel had to drive behind him. Solberg felt the time adjustment Rossel received was too generous.
Rossel went on to win the rally, while Solberg, hampered by the puncture, ended up in fourth place—a major blow in the title fight. Even during the Central European Rally, Solberg commented on “the law of karma” when Rossel ran into trouble. The Frenchman finished without points, effectively ending his title chances.
Having cooled down a bit, Solberg didn’t dwell on the issue when speaking to RallyJournal.com
“It’s not been an easy weekend for him (Rossel). But it doesn’t help my situation. So right now I look at Pajari and that’s it,” Solberg said.
