Driving Toyota’s Rally1 car for the first time in competition, Solberg clocked the fastest time on the same stage for the second time today. This time he beat second-place Kalle Rovanperä by 2.8 seconds.
Although Solberg is in Estonia primarily to gain experience in the Toyota Rally1 car, his speed on Friday morning has been more than impressive. He took the overall lead early in the day and has now extended his advantage to nearly ten seconds.
“Feeling is good. The car is incredible to drive. Best car i’ve ever driven. There’s a lot I want to improve,” Solberg said.
Hyundai’s Ott Tänak holds second place, 9.4 seconds behind Solberg. Tänak, Rovanperä, and fourth-placed Thierry Neuville are tightly packed, with just 1.5 seconds separating the trio.
While Solberg has praised his car, both Tänak and Rovanperä continue to struggle with handling issues.
“Could be better, but that’s all we can do. No mistakes,” Rovanperä commented.
“Conditions obviously different. Generally the same struggle,” Tänak noted.
Takamoto Katsuta is fifth, already 20 seconds off the lead, closely followed by championship leader Elfyn Evans.
Toyota’s Sami Pajari has suffered technical issues during Friday’s morning loop. In Peipsiääre, he again lost significant time as the car lost power.
“It just isn’t my day today,” said Pajari, who is already 50 seconds off the pace.
Four more stages are scheduled for Friday in Rally Estonia. The event concludes on Sunday.
Rally Estonia standings after SS4/20:
| POS | Driver | Car | Time |
| 1. | Oliver Solberg | Toyota | 33:45.6 |
| 2. | Ott Tänak | Hyundai | +9.4 |
| 3. | Kalle Rovanperä | Toyota | +10.0 |
| 4. | Thierry Neuville | Hyundai | +10.9 |
| 5. | Takamoto Katsuta | Toyota | +19.7 |
| 6. | Elfyn Evans | Toyota | +20.5 |
| 7. | Adrien Fourmaux | Hyundai | +32.1 |
| 8. | Sami Pajari | Toyota | +49.9 |
| 9. | Josh McErlean | Ford | +51.0 |
| 10. | Martins Sesks | Ford | +54.6 |
| 11. | Gregoire Munster | Ford | +1:13.6 |
Rally Estonia itinerary (CET):
Thursday, 17 July
08.01 Shakedown: Kastre (4.08 km)
19.05 SS1: Tartu vald 1 (1.76 km)
Friday, 18 July
08.16 SS2: Peipsiääre 1 (24.35 km)
09.09 SS3: Mustvee 1 (11.37 km)
10.53 SS4: Peipsiääre 2 (24.35 km)
11.46 SS5: Mustvee 2 (11.37 km)
13.01 Service (40 min)
14.44 SS6: Kambja 1 (23.74 km)
17.04 SS7: Kambja 2 (23.74 km)
18.15 SS8: Elva Linn (1.72 km)
Saturday, 19 July
07.23 SS9: Raanitsa 1 (21.45 km)
08.16 SS10: Kanepi 1 (17.43 km)
09.54 SS11: Raanitsa 2 (21.45 km)
10.47 SS12: Kanepi 2 (17.43 km)
12.22 Service (40 min)
14.05 SS13: Otepää 1 (11.15 km)
15.00 SS14: Karaski 1 (11.97 km)
16.35 SS15: Otepää 2 (11.15 km)
17.30 SS16: Karaski 2 (11.97 km)
18.51 SS17: Tartu vald 2 (1.76 km)
Sunday, 20 July
08.39 SS18: Hellenurme (11.79 km)
09.35 SS19: Kääriku 1 (24.20 km)
12.15 SS20: Kääriku 2 (24.20 km) *Power Stage
