Latvala: Solberg is ready to step in a Rally1 car



The team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Jari-Matti Latvala, says that Oliver Solberg is ready to make his come back to the top level considering the Swede's attitude and performance in WRC2 class the last two years.

Oliver Solberg secured a partial campaign with Hyundai Motorsport and the i20N Rally1 in 2022, but the Koreans did not renew his contract for 2023 and decided to end their cooperation at the end of Rally New Zealand two years ago. The youngster is competing in WRC2 class with Toksport and the Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 since last year and is currently the WRC2 leader with three wins and two second-place finishes and has 111 points on the championship, just 28 points ahead of the second Sami Pajari. Toyota may sign Pajari for 2025 with a partial programme while Hyundai Motorsport is considering of changing the third-car policy with Solberg, Adrien Fourmaux and Martins Sesks being among the potential options for them. On the other hand, it is difficult for M-Sport Ford to sign Solberg since the Malcolm Wilson's team has Red Bull as its sponsor whereas Monster Energy supports Solberg for many years. With four rounds remaining until the season finale in Japan, Solberg is the favorite driver to become the WRC2 Champion of 2024 as he has shown great consistency and speed during his participations this year.

"What I have seen here and his performance last weekend, honestly I can tell you that I think he is ready to step in a Rally1", Latvala said about Solberg.

"He’s been really keeping a very good control, he’s focused, you know, he’s done a really good job. 

"And I can see that he’s very different to what he was like two years ago, and he knows what he’s doing".


Source: DirtFish.com


Photo Credits: Rally Finland

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post