Solberg is one of the drivers who began building their rally career on Latvian special stages in the last decade. The fast gravel rallies suit Solberg well, and he started the WRC2 competition as the biggest favourite to win.
Solberg’s composure held up brilliantly, as he led his class from the very first special stage. Representing Sweden, Solberg pulled a clear lead over Mikko Heikkilä and Sami Pajari on Friday, allowing him to control the situation from then on.
Solberg secured his second WRC2 win of the season with a margin of over half a minute ahead of Finnish driver Heikkilä. This victory also propelled Solberg to the top of the class points standings, ahead of Pajari and Frenchman Yohan Rossel. Rossel did not participate in the Latvian WRC round.
Heikkilä and fellow Finn Pajari entered Sunday’s special stages on equal footing. However, Heikkilä managed to widen the gap over Pajari, who had to settle for third place this time. Pajari had previously secured wins in Poland and Sardinia.
At this stage of the season, it looks like Solberg, Pajari, and Rossel will be battling it out for this season’s championship. Nikolay Gryazin and Spanish driver Jan Solans also have a chance to compete for the title.
WRC2 drivers can compete in seven scoring events during the season, with their six best results counting towards their final points tally.
Solberg now has a three-point lead over Pajari in the series. Both have competed in five scoring events this year. Rossel, who has competed in four events this season, is 15 points behind Solberg.
Solberg is also the favourite for the next WRC2 event of the season in Finland. Pajari will compete in his home WRC rally for the first time in the top class with a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car.
