Solberg leads the WRC2 class by three points ahead of Sami Pajari. If the Swede manages to clinch victory in Chile, he will secure the championship. Any other result will push the decision forward.
Solberg is aware of the situation, but refuses to let the pressure get to him.
“I’m just trying to approach it normally. I don’t feel extra pressure because everyone is in the same situation. We all need to perform well. I’ll do my best and hope it’s enough,” Solberg said.
Solberg’s closest challenger, Pajari, is also competing in Chile, but he is driving a Rally1 car. Despite this, there will still be pressure on Solberg in Chile.
“Gus Greensmith or someone else will likely push hard because they have nothing to lose. But I just need to focus on driving normally, as winning is key to securing the championship. Friday is usually my strongest day, with others catching up on Saturday, so I’ll aim to create a gap. I’ll stick to my rhythm and hope for a strong Friday. Then, on Saturday, I can hopefully avoid taking too many risks due to tyre wear. We’ll see how it goes,” Solberg explained.
Rally Chile is like a blend of several different events. It has suited Solberg well in the past.
“I love this rally. The stages are fantastic, and in some areas, it feels a bit like Wales. But I don’t like having to drive so slowly because of the tyres—that’s the boring part. Still, it’s just something you have to deal with.”
