Toyota’s WRC team confirmed on Monday that Solberg will drive a Rally1 car for the Japanese manufacturer in 2026. The line-up also includes Elfyn Evans, Sébastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari.
This year, Solberg claimed the WRC2 title behind the wheel of Toyota’s Rally2 car. He also made a sensational appearance in the Rally1 machine at Rally Estonia in July, taking a stunning overall victory.
Solberg previously competed for Hyundai’s WRC team in 2021 and 2022, but after being dropped at the end of that season he had to rebuild his career in the WRC2 category. Now, the talented Swede is getting another real shot at rallying’s top level.
“This is a big dream come true. It’s my first time being a full-time factory driver, and to do the 2026 season in a Rally1 car is just an incredible feeling,” Solberg said at Monday’s press conference.
Solberg went through a difficult phase three years ago when Hyundai released him from its line-up. But instead of giving up, he regrouped and made a new plan – one that has now paid off.
This year he switched from Škoda to Toyota’s Rally2 programme, run by the Finnish team Printsport.
“This year has been absolutely incredible for me as part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing family. We achieved our main goal of winning the WRC2 championship together and had a fast and consistent season with the GR Yaris Rally2. Then we got the opportunity to compete in Estonia in the Rally1 car, which was simply an amazing week,” Solberg recalled.
“I’m really grateful to be part of this great team. We need to stay realistic because there’s still a lot to learn with the Rally1 car, but we’re going to have fun and do the best we can,” he added.
Solberg will make his official debut as a full-time Toyota factory driver at next season’s opening round, Rallye Monte Carlo.
