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Oliver Solberg
View on WikipediaOliver Solberg (born 23 September 2001) is a Swedish Norwegian[1] rally driver who competes in the World Rally Championship (WRC) for Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT under the Swedish flag. The son of 2003 World Rally champion Petter Solberg and WRC Commission president Pernilla Solberg, he became the 2025 WRC2 champion alongside co-driver Elliott Edmondson, and achieved his maiden WRC overall victory at a one-off appearance at the 2025 Rally Estonia.[2]
Key Information
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After winning multiple crosskarting championships in his early years, Solberg became the RallyX Nordic Champion in 2018 and the FIA ERC1 Junior Champion in 2020. He made his WRC debut at the 2019 Wales Rally GB. In 2022, Solberg had a permanent part-time seat at the top level of the WRC for the first time as the third driver for Hyundai Motorsport, driving the new Rally1 car. In 2023, Solberg returned to the WRC2 competition, winning his first points-scoring event at the 2023 Rally Sweden. He returned to the top level as a full-time driver in 2026.
Early life
[edit]Solberg was introduced to the world of the WRC before his first birthday, when he attended the 2002 Cyprus Rally to watch his father compete. His grandfather and uncle are also experienced rally drivers. Though a career in motorsport wasn't inevitable, as his parents encouraged him to also try football, ice hockey and other activities, he ultimately decided to pursue motorsport.[3] By the age of eight he was competing in crosskarting, winning his first race. Over the next years he won multiple Norwegian and Nordic Crosskart Championships.
Rally career
[edit]Solberg started his professional rally career in 2017 at 15 years old. Given his young age, one of the few places he was allowed to compete was the Latvian Rally Championship, though he was still too young to drive the road sections which resulted in him and his co-driver Veronica Engan swapping seats between stages. His first rally was Rally Alūksne in a Peugeot 208 R2 where he finished 2nd in his class. He finished the year with two wins. Solberg competed in his second season of the Latvian Rally Championship in 2018, where he finished 2nd in both the LRC3 and U28 categories behind European champion Mārtiņš Sesks.
After two years competing in the Latvian Rally Championship in the R2 class, Solberg stepped into R5 machinery for the 2019 season. He won 5 consecutive rallies, ultimately winning the Latvian Rally Championship in the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. One of the rounds of the championship, Rally Liepāja, also counted for the European Rally Championship, meaning he won on his ERC debut against top-level international competition.[4] He also drove six rounds of the American Rally Championship in a Subaru WRX STI, with a livery based on his father's iconic blue and gold WRC Championship-winning car. He claimed victory on only his second outing at the Olympus Rally, and achieved a total of 3 victories in 6 races in the 2019 ARA season.
Solberg made his WRC debut at the end of the season at 2019 Wales Rally GB in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, showing stage-winning pace but ultimately retiring from the rally.[5] The same rally also marked his father's last WRC event as he signed off with a WRC2 class victory.
After making his WRC debut at the end of 2019, Solberg stepped up into a full WRC campaign in 2020 driving his own VW Polo R5, and also a partial campaign with Škoda Motorsport. The COVID-19 pandemic paused rallying for some time, but as the sport returned, he won the Rally Sweden Lockdown before heading into the FIA ERC and scoring a podium on his full tarmac debut before winning Rally Liepaja for the second year running. When the WRC restarted, Solberg scored his first WRC class win with a WRC3 victory at Rally Estonia. He followed it up with taking home the 2020 FIA ERC1 Junior Championship title.[6]
For 2021, Solberg joined the reigning WRC champions, Hyundai Motorsport, with a plan to drive the full WRC-2 season.[7] However, after his debut for the team at the 2021 Monte Carlo Rally driving the Hyundai i20 R5, he was unexpectedly offered the chance to make his top-level WRC debut in the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC at the second round of the season, Arctic Rally Finland. He went on to finish 7th overall with several top 4 stage times. After a series of bad luck through the middle of the year while driving in the WRC2 class, Solberg ended the 2021 season back in the World Rally Car and finished fifth at the 2021 Rally Monza.[8]
2022 saw Solberg return to Hyundai Motorsport's top-level team, driving as the third driver on selected events throughout the season. He shared the seat with Dani Sordo,[9] with a best finish of 4th at Ypres Rally.
On October 6, 2022, it was announced that Solberg and Hyundai Motorsport would part ways at the end of the season at the end of the contract.[10]
For the 2023 season, Solberg contested a full season in the WRC2 category, piloting the new Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 for Toksport WRT.[11] He concluded his WRC2 campaign with a second class victory of the season at Rally Chile, ending the year sixth in the standings.[12] Solberg was retained by Škoda and Toksport for the 2024 season,[13] with the Swede contesting another full WRC2 campaign. He finished the year as runner-up, winning three events and taking the championship battle with eventual champion Sami Pajari to the final round at Rally Japan. A crash at Rally Portugal and a puncture at Rally Chile ultimately cost Solberg the title, despite him winning more stages in WRC2 than any other driver in 2024.[14]
Off the back of finishing the season as WRC2 runner-up in 2024, Solberg parted ways with Škoda and Toksport WRT. On December 10, 2024, it was announced that Solberg would join Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT and Printsport for the 2025 season, contesting a full WRC2 campaign in the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.[15] At Rally Estonia, Solberg was given the opportunity to drive the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 for his first top-line WRC start since the 2022 Rally New Zealand.[16] He dominated the event, winning nine stages en route to his maiden WRC event victory.[17] Solberg also leads the 2025 WRC2 Championship as of August 2025, with three event victories from five starts.
Rallycross career
[edit]
Alongside his rallying commitments, Solberg also entered the RallyX Nordic Championship in 2017, driving his father's 600bhp FIA World Rallycross Championship-winning DS3. His father had jokingly promised that Solberg could drive the car if he could get all the licences and agreements in place, assuming that it wouldn't be possible given his young age. However, Solberg managed to get things in place in time for the season start. Solberg finished on the podium on his debut, and after winning two events in 2017 he ended the season 2nd in the championship.
Solberg returned to the RallyX Nordic Championship in 2018, taking the Championship title with 3 overall wins.[18]
In 2020, Solberg made a one-off return to rallycross, driving the DS3 in the All-Star Magic Weekend at Höljes – an event aimed to bring motorsport to people around the world online during the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished 3rd behind World RX drivers Johan Kristoffersson and Robin Larsson. The 'one-off' return became a 'two-off' after he took part in the Euro RX round at Höljes, winning on track ahead of Anton Marklund and Johan Kristoffersson, but later being controversially disqualified for an overweight car.[19]
Personal life
[edit]Solberg is the son of the Norwegian 2003 World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg, and Swedish mother Pernilla Solberg (née Walfridsson), who is also a successful former rally driver.[20] His uncle Henning Solberg, cousin Oscar Solberg and grandparents are or have been well-known motorsport competitors. He lives in Gunnarskog, Sweden.
Solberg's 2018 RallyX Nordic title success, as well as his rally career so far and personal journey, was the subject of the 2019 film Born2Drive which was released in cinemas across Norway.[21] Solberg and his family also feature in the Discovery+ and TVNorge series, Team Solberg.[22] Season 1 was released in 2020, and Season 2 was released in 2022.
In 2024, Solberg joined Formula 1 driver Lando Norris' Quadrant Athlete program alongside WMX racer Lotte van Drunen, Moto3 rider Iván Ortolá, and Olympic skateboarder Keegan Palmer.[23]
Rally victories
[edit]WRC victories
[edit]| # | Event | Season | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  15th Rally Estonia
|
2025 |  Elliott Edmondson
|
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
| 2 |  94th Monte Carlo Rally
|
2026 | Elliott Edmondson
|
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 |
ERC victories
[edit]
WRC2 victories
[edit]
WRC3 victories
[edit]| # | Event | Season | Co-driver | Car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10th Rally Estonia
|
2020 |  Aaron Johnston
|
Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 |
Rally record
[edit]WRC results
[edit]* Season still in progress.
WRC2 results
[edit]| Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Oliver Solberg | Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 | MON | SWE | MEX | FRA | ARG | CHL | POR | ITA | FIN | GER | TUR | GBR Ret |
ESP | AUS C |
NC | 0 |
| 2021 | Hyundai Motorsport N | Hyundai i20 R5 | MON WD |
ARC | CRO | POR 5 |
ITA | KEN | EST Ret |
18th | 10 | |||||||
| Hyundai i20 N Rally2 | BEL Ret |
GRE Ret |
FIN Ret |
ESP | MNZ | |||||||||||||
| 2022 | Hyundai Motorsport N | Hyundai i20 N Rally2 | MON | SWE | CRO | POR 25 |
ITA | KEN | EST | FIN | BEL | GRE | NZL | ESP | JPN | 49th | 3 | |
| 2023 | Oliver Solberg | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 | MON | SWE 1 |
MEX 3 |
CRO | POR 2 |
ITA 26 |
KEN | EST 16 |
FIN | GRE Ret |
CHL 1 |
EUR | JPN | 6th | 91 | |
| 2024 | Toksport WRT | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 | MON | SWE 1 |
KEN 2 |
CRO | POR Ret |
ITA | POL 2 |
LAT 1 |
FIN 1 |
GRE | CHL 4 |
EUR | JPN | 2nd | 123 | |
| 2025 | Printsport | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 | MON | SWE 1 |
KEN 5 |
ESP | POR 1 |
ITA | GRE 1 |
EST | FIN 16 |
PAR 1 |
CHL 1 |
EUR | JPN | SAU | 1st | 135 |
WRC3 results
[edit]| Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Oliver Solberg | Škoda Fabia R5 Evo | MON | SWE 5 |
TUR | ITA 6 |
MNZ 2 |
4th | 61 | ||
| Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 | MEX Ret |
EST 1 |
|||||||||
ERC results
[edit]| Year | Entrant | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Sports Racing Technologies | Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 | PRT | ESP | LAT 1 |
POL | ITA | CZE | CYP | HUN | 6th | 39 |
| 2020 | Oliver Solberg | Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 | ITA 3 |
LAT 1 |
PRT 23 |
ESP 4 |
2nd | 112 | ||||
| Škoda Fabia R5 Evo | HUN 4 |
|||||||||||
| 2023 | Toksport WRT | Volkswagen Polo GTI R5 | PRT | ESP | POL | LAT | SWE 1 |
ITA | CZE | HUN | 15th | 33 |
| 2024 | Oliver Solberg | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 | HUN | ESP | SWE 1 |
EST | ITA | CZE | GBR | SIL | 12th | 35 |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Hagen, Simen Næss; Stenløs, Joakim (2025-11-17). "Oliver Solberg is a Norwegian citizen – can drive with the Norwegian flag". www.parcferme.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2025-12-04.
- ^ "Solberg claims his first ever WRC win in Estonia". dirtfish.com. 20 July 2025. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "About Me". oliversolberg.com. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ Evans, David (26 May 2019). "Oliver Solberg, son of Petter, wins on ERC top class debut". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ Evans, David (24 July 2019). "Petter and Oliver Solberg team up for WRC's Wales Rally GB". autosport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "ERC1 Junior Champion Q&A: Oliver Solberg". European Rally Championship. 30 November 2002. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Solberg joins Veiby in Hyundai WRC2 Squad". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ "Breaking news: awesome eight for Ogier". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
- ^ "Sordo and Solberg to share third Hyundai in 2022". wrc.com. WRC Promoter GmbH. 6 October 2021. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ "Hyundai Motorsport and Oliver Solberg set to part ways". 6 October 2022. Retrieved 6 October 2022.
- ^ "Solberg reveals Skoda WRC2 programme for 2023". autosport.com. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Rally Chile: Full Škoda WRC2 podium at the only South American round of the World Series". skoda-motorsport.com. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Solberg stays with Škoda for 2024 title shot". dirtfish.com. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "We continue our success – Looking back at the 2024 season". skoda-motorsport.com. Retrieved 20 July 2025.
- ^ "Solberg switches to a Toyota for WRC2 2025". dirtfish.com. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Solberg gets Rally1 chance with Toyota in Estonia". dirtfish.com. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Solberg stuns with first WRC triumph in Estonia". wrc.com. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
- ^ "Oliver Solberg takes RallyX Nordic Title". monsterenergy.com. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
- ^ "Euro RX: 'Magic Weekend' for Anton Marklund on home soil in Höljes". Federation Internationale de l'Automobile. 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
- ^ Bowen, James (2024-02-28). "FIA names Solberg as WRC Commission president". DirtFish. Retrieved 2025-12-06.
- ^ "Born2Drive". IMDb. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Team Solberg". IMDb. Retrieved 2 February 2022.
- ^ "Announcing Quadrant Athletes". quadrant.gg. 9 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
External links
[edit]
- Official website
- Oliver Solberg at eWRC-results.com
Oliver Solberg
View on GrokipediaBackground
Early life
Oliver Solberg was born on September 23, 2001, in Auckland, New Zealand, three months premature. Due to complications from his early arrival, he spent three months under hospital observation, with his mother Pernilla remaining by his side throughout, but made a full recovery, growing into a healthy child despite the initial health challenges. His birth occurred during a period when his family was deeply immersed in the world of professional rallying, setting the stage for his lifelong connection to motorsport.[2][4] By the age of two, in 2003, Solberg attended his first World Rally Championship event alongside his parents, experiencing the excitement of high-level competition firsthand. This early immersion in rallying environments, influenced by his family's legacy in the sport, sparked his interest in driving. Before turning six, he began experimenting with go-karts and small rally cars on private tracks, honing basic skills under supervised conditions and demonstrating natural talent.[2] Solberg's formal entry into competitive motorsport came at age eight in 2009, when he debuted in crosskarting—a discipline involving off-road kart racing. He achieved his first victory shortly thereafter in Flisa, Norway, on August 6, 2010, and went on to secure multiple championships, including the Norwegian title in 2012. Around age 10, his family relocated to Mitandersfors, Sweden, to leverage superior training facilities and proximity to established rally networks.[2]Family influences
Oliver Solberg's entry into motorsport was profoundly shaped by his father, Petter Solberg, a 2003 FIA World Rally Champion and two-time FIA World Rallycross Champion in 2014 and 2015.[5][6] Petter's success in both disciplines provided Oliver with unparalleled access to professional environments from a young age, fostering a deep passion for rallying and serving as the cornerstone of his early development.[7] His mother, Pernilla Solberg, a former rally driver and co-driver who began navigating at age 16 for her father before competing as a driver in events like the Swedish Rally, played a pivotal role in managing family logistics and supporting Oliver's nascent career.[7][8] Pernilla, who also served as Petter's spotter and later as team manager for their PSRX Volkswagen squad, handled travel arrangements and on-site coordination during Oliver's formative years, ensuring the family balanced global rally commitments with stability.[6][7] Her background in mechanical engineering further equipped her to oversee technical aspects of Oliver's progression.[7] Petter provided hands-on coaching from Oliver's early childhood, introducing him to manual transmission at age 5 using an old Volkswagen Beetle on their Swedish farmland, which doubled as a practice stage spanning 22 kilometers.[6] By around age 12, these sessions evolved into more structured "backseat driver" lessons, where Petter acted as co-driver, calling pace notes during practice runs since Oliver was too young to have a dedicated navigator.[9] This direct mentorship, often with Pernilla spotting, built Oliver's foundational skills in car control and stage navigation.[6]Personal life
Residence and lifestyle
Oliver Solberg resides in Mitandersfors, Sweden, with his family, a location selected for its proximity to prominent rally testing grounds in the Värmland region.[2] His training regimen encompasses physical fitness exercises, simulator sessions, and extensive on-track practice to meet the rigorous demands of professional rallying.[10] Solberg dedicates substantial time to these activities as part of the demanding World Rally Championship calendar. Amid the grueling 2025 season, which included a WRC2 title win and select Rally1 outings, Solberg got engaged to Chloé Chambers on 14 March.[11][12] Sponsorships are seamlessly woven into his daily life, featuring branded apparel from Monster Energy and coordinated travel logistics through partnerships with teams like Toyota Gazoo Racing.[13]Interests outside racing
Beyond his professional commitments in motorsport, Oliver Solberg pursues gaming and e-sports as a key hobby, leveraging rally simulators for leisure and community engagement. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, he launched the Solberg World Cup, an online rally competition based on DiRT Rally 2.0 that attracted global participants and offered prizes such as all-expenses-paid trips to live WRC events, demonstrating his enthusiasm for virtual racing as a fun extension of his passion.[14] He continues this interest through active involvement in titles like EA SPORTS WRC, where he established the "Solberg Rally Club" to foster fan interaction and has competed in virtual challenges, including head-to-head races against his father Petter, blending family bonding with entertainment.[15] Solberg also engages with environmental causes, advocating for sustainable initiatives within motorsport to align his career with broader ecological goals. In the 2023 Roger Albert Clark Rally, he became one of the first drivers to compete using Carless Hiperflo ECO98 R70, a racing fuel derived from 70% renewable sources,[16] which performed reliably across demanding stages and underscored the feasibility of green technologies in high-performance rallying.[17] He has emphasized the importance of such efforts, stating that "sustainability is key across all forms of motorsport, but rallying is the most relevant to the people in the street actually buying these cars," positioning his participation as a practical endorsement of WRC-aligned environmental progress.[16] These pursuits provide Solberg with balance during off-seasons, reflecting a commitment to personal growth and positive impact outside the cockpit while drawing inspiration from his family's motorsport heritage.Rally career
Junior and regional rallies
Oliver Solberg entered the world of competitive rallying in 2017 at the age of 15, debuting at Rally Alūksne in Latvia aboard a Peugeot 208 R2, where he secured second place in his class despite the challenges of limited experience and age restrictions that confined his early competitions primarily to the Baltic region.[18] This initial outing marked the beginning of his rapid skill development, as he adapted to the demands of gravel stages and precise pacenote reading, building on early driving exposure from his family background in motorsport. Later that year, Solberg achieved his first victory at Rally Talsi, also in Latvia, and finished as runner-up in the Latvian Rally Championship overall, demonstrating exceptional pace for a novice driver.[19] In 2018, Solberg continued his progression through regional events in the Nordic and Baltic areas, competing in a Peugeot 208 R2 at rallies such as Shell Helix Rally Estonia, where he placed second in his class, and Rally Elektrėnai in Lithuania, engaging in intense battles that sharpened his competitive instincts and stage management.[20] These outings, combined with additional starts in Latvian and Estonian championships, helped him accumulate valuable mileage on varied terrains, including snow and gravel, while finishing as runner-up once again in the Latvian Rally Championship. By this stage, Solberg's focus on junior categories emphasized consistent top-three finishes, laying the groundwork for international advancement without venturing into senior-level European events. Solberg's breakthrough came in 2019 at age 17 with his debut in the FIA European Rally Championship's junior category, where he stunned the field by winning Rally Liepāja outright in a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5—the youngest victor in ERC history at that point—and securing additional triumphs, including at Rally Hungary.[21][22] These results propelled him to the ERC1 Junior title, highlighting his ability to handle higher-stakes pressure and R5 machinery, while regional successes in Nordic-adjacent Baltic rallies added to his growing tally of over 20 starts by the end of 2020. In 2020, he transitioned to even more powerful vehicles, such as the Škoda Fabia R5 for select events like Rally Hungary, further refining his driving technique on asphalt and mixed surfaces to prepare for professional circuits.[23]World Rally Championship
Oliver Solberg's entry into the World Rally Championship (WRC) began in the support categories, building on his junior rallying experience. In 2021, he competed in WRC3, achieving a runner-up finish at Rally de Portugal and accumulating 22 points across the season, marking his adaptation to international WRC stages.[1] His progression accelerated in 2022 when he joined Hyundai Motorsport as a junior driver, contesting selected rounds in the top-tier Rally1 class with the i20 N Rally1 car. Despite a mixed campaign with mechanical issues and learning curves, he secured four top-six overall finishes, including a career-best fourth place at Rally Belgium, and ended the year 12th in the drivers' standings with 33 points.[1][24] Following his departure from Hyundai at the end of 2022, Solberg returned to the WRC2 category in 2023 with Toksport WRT in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2. He claimed his first WRC2 victory at Rally Sweden, dominating on home snow and ice to finish eighth overall, but faced consistency challenges elsewhere, including retirements and lower finishes, resulting in 33 points and sixth in WRC2.[25][26] In 2024, continuing with the same team on wildcard entries, he repeated his Rally Sweden success, winning WRC2 by over a minute while making history as the first Rally2 driver to end a full WRC day inside the top three overall—achieving sixth on day one amid heavy snow. He added two more WRC2 victories at Rally Latvia and Rally Finland that season, finishing second in the category with 123 points behind Sami Pajari.[3][27] Solberg's 2025 season represented a breakthrough, as he switched to a Printsport-prepared Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 and mounted a title challenge in WRC2. He started strongly with a third consecutive WRC2 win at Rally Sweden, leading wire-to-wire and finishing ninth overall. A setback in Croatia followed, but he rebounded with victories in Portugal, Italia Sardegna, and Greece to build a commanding lead. These results positioned him firmly in contention, culminating in a fifth WRC2 victory at Rally Chile to secure the championship with 135 points—his first world title. After clinching the title, Solberg added further class wins at the Central European Rally (eighth overall) and FORUM8 Rally Japan (seventh overall), bringing his season total to seven WRC2 victories as of November 19, 2025 (Rally Paraguay and Rally Saudi Arabia pending). As a reward, Toyota Gazoo Racing gave him a one-off Rally1 drive at Delfi Rally Estonia, where the 23-year-old stunned the field by winning outright in the GR Yaris Rally1, leading from stage two and beating defending champion Ott Tänak by 8.5 seconds after nine stage wins. This marked Sweden's first WRC round victory in 28 years and highlighted Solberg's rapid ascent to the sport's elite, making him the third-youngest WRC winner in history.[2][28][29][30][31][32]European Rally Championship
Solberg entered the European Rally Championship (ERC) in 2018 as part of his junior campaign, competing in the RC4 class aboard a Peugeot 208 R2. He tackled events like Rally Liepāja, where he encountered engine failure, and Shell Helix Rally Estonia, finishing 17th overall while building experience on international gravel stages.[20] In 2019, Solberg advanced to the ERC1 Junior category with a Volkswagen Polo GTI R5, securing a breakthrough victory at Rally Liepāja on his R5 debut—the youngest overall ERC round winner at age 17. This success propelled his junior efforts, culminating in the ERC1 Junior title that season with consistent top results across the campaign.[3][33][20] The 2020 ERC season was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, limiting Solberg to a partial schedule, yet he claimed victory at Rally Estonia in the ERC1 Junior category despite the disruptions. This performance, combined with strong showings like third place at Rally di Roma Capitale, helped him clinch the ERC1 Junior title.[34][20][3] Solberg pursued the ERC1 Junior title into 2021 but shifted primary focus toward the World Rally Championship, resulting in limited ERC outings; he finished second overall in the championship standings amid these selective appearances.[34][2] From 2022 to 2023, Solberg's ERC involvement became sporadic as he prioritized global commitments, though he notched a podium finish at Rally Islas Canarias in 2022 and a class win at Rally Estonia in 2023 with the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5.[35][20] By 2024 and 2025, Solberg's attentions turned predominantly to the WRC, but he made a guest appearance at the Acropolis Rally, posting competitive stage times that highlighted his enduring pace on the demanding Greek asphalt and gravel mix.[34][36]Rallycross career
Debut and early events
Oliver Solberg made his rallycross debut at the age of 15 in the 2017 RallyX Nordic Supercar category at the season-opening round in Kaunas, Lithuania, finishing third overall in a remarkable performance for a rookie.[37][38] He drove a Citroën DS3 Supercar, the same machine his father Petter Solberg had used to secure the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship title, under the banner of the family-operated Petter Solberg Motorsport team.[2] Throughout the 2017 season, Solberg demonstrated rapid progress, securing two event victories and concluding the year as runner-up in the RallyX Nordic Supercar standings.[2][39] His father's extensive rallycross experience, including two world titles, offered invaluable guidance during this initial phase, helping bridge Solberg's primary focus on rallying with the demands of short, high-intensity rallycross events.[37] In 2018, Solberg committed to a full campaign in the RallyX Nordic Supercar class, achieving multiple podiums and three outright wins en route to claiming the championship title at the season finale in Tierp, Sweden.[40][41][42] The transition from longer rally stages to rallycross's compact, aggressive format posed adaptation hurdles, but Solberg notched his first heat victories in 2019 while balancing his growing rally commitments.[2]World and European championships
Solberg entered the FIA European Rallycross Championship in 2022 with Hedströms Motorsport, piloting a Hyundai i20 Supercar in the RX1 category as part of a partial campaign alongside his WRC commitments. His debut at the Euro RX of Portugal yielded a semi-final appearance, showcasing competitive pace against established Supercar drivers. At the Euro RX of Sweden in Höljes, Solberg topped the qualifying standings after two heats with 92 points, edging out Anton Marklund by two points and Johan Kristoffersson by five. He led the final from pole position and secured what appeared to be his first victory in the series, but was subsequently disqualified after post-race scrutineering found the underbody protection to be 3kg overweight, in violation of regulations regarding weight distribution, handing the win to Marklund.[43][44] Solberg continued to compete in subsequent rounds, including the Euro RX of Latvia and Belgium, where he recorded consistent top-10 qualifying results and reached the finals in select events, contributing to his season's highlight of podium contention despite the setback at Höljes. His efforts earned him 5 points, placing him 17th in the RX1 drivers' standings at the conclusion of the championship.[45] Following 2022, Solberg shifted priorities to his rally career in the WRC and ERC, resulting in no further competitive rallycross appearances as of November 2025.[2]Achievements
Major victories
Solberg's breakthrough in the World Rally Championship came with his first outright victory at the 2025 Rally Estonia, marking the first Rally1 win for the young Swede. Driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 on a one-off entry with Toyota Gazoo Racing, he led from the opening stages after the first, winning nine of 20 stages and finishing 25.2 seconds ahead of Ott Tänak, outpacing factory drivers in a stunning return to the top class after three years.[46][47] In the WRC2 category, Solberg demonstrated consistent excellence. His first WRC2 win came at the 2023 Rally Sweden. He repeated success at home in 2025, securing a dominant victory by over 40 seconds, his third consecutive WRC2 win there. That season, he claimed three of the first four events, including Rally Sweden, Rally de Portugal, and EKO Acropolis Rally Greece, before adding two more to clinch the WRC2 title with five wins overall.[48][49][25] Solberg's early promise shone in the WRC3 class with a victory at the 2020 Rally Estonia.[1] In the European Rally Championship, Solberg achieved his first overall ERC win at Rally Liepāja in 2019. He added an ERC victory at the 2020 Rally Estonia, leading from the front in mixed conditions to claim the overall win.[3] Turning to rallycross, Solberg participated in the 2021 World Rallycross Championship at Spa-Francorchamps. In 2022, he competed in the FIA European Rallycross Championship, achieving consistent results but facing a disqualification at the Sweden round.[3]Championship results
Oliver Solberg's championship performances span the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC), World Rally Championship support categories, and rallycross series, showcasing consistent contention for titles in junior and production categories. In the ERC, Solberg finished sixth overall in 2019 with 39 points, highlighted by an overall victory at Rally Liepāja. He claimed the ERC1 Junior title in 2020, finishing second overall in the main ERC standings with 112 points across seven events. Limited appearances in 2021 yielded second place in the Junior category at Rally Islas Canarias.[20] Transitioning to the World Rally Championship (WRC), Solberg competed in WRC3 during the abbreviated 2020 season, securing fourth overall with 61 points, highlighted by a class win at Rally Estonia.[20][1] In WRC2, he placed sixth in 2023 with 91 points from a full campaign that included three victories.[20] He improved to runner-up in 2024 with 123 points, narrowly missing the title.[20] By 2025, Solberg dominated WRC2, clinching the championship with 135 points and five event wins.[20][29] Solberg's rallycross efforts included participation in the 2022 FIA European Rallycross Championship, ending third in the standings despite a disqualification at the Sweden round affecting points. In 2023, limited World RX participation resulted in fifth place overall. He also finished second in the 2021 European Rallycross Championship with consistent top finishes across the season.[2][44]| Year | Series | Position | Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ERC1 Junior | 2nd | N/A | Overall ERC: 6th (39 pts)[20] |
| 2020 | ERC1 Junior | 1st | N/A | Overall ERC: 2nd (112 pts)[20] |
| 2020 | WRC3 | 4th | 61 | Limited events; class win at Estonia[20] |
| 2021 | European RX | 2nd | N/A | Full season contention |
| 2023 | WRC2 | 6th | 91 | Three wins[20] |
| 2023 | World RX | 5th | N/A | Partial season[2] |
| 2024 | WRC2 | 2nd | 123 | Runner-up finish[20] |
| 2025 | WRC2 | 1st | 135 | Five wins; champion[20][29] |
| 2022 | European RX | 3rd | N/A | Partial; DSQ at Sweden[44] |
Records and statistics
WRC overall results
Oliver Solberg made his debut in the World Rally Championship's top category in 2021 at the Arctic Rally Finland, finishing seventh overall in a Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC. He contested three WRC events that year, with a best result of fifth place at Rally Estonia.[1] In 2022, Solberg contested eight WRC events in the Rally1 category with Hyundai Motorsport. His best result was fourth place at Ypres Rally Belgium, with other notable finishes including fifth at Rally Japan and sixth at Rally Finland. He earned 33 points in the drivers' standings.[1][20] The 2023 season saw Solberg focus on WRC2 with Toksport WRT in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, with no top-category starts.[1] In 2024, Solberg competed exclusively in WRC2 with Škoda Motorsport, recording three class victories and finishing second in the championship standings behind Sami Pajari. There were no Rally1 appearances.[3] As of November 19, 2025, Solberg has made one Rally1 appearance in the 2025 season, a one-off drive with Toyota Gazoo Racing at Delfi Rally Estonia, where he secured his maiden overall victory by 25.2 seconds in a GR Yaris Rally1—Toyota's 100th WRC win and marking him as the third-youngest WRC winner in history. The season is ongoing.[50]| Year | Rally1 Starts | Best Overall Finish | Notable Results | Points Earned (Drivers') |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 | 5th (Rally Estonia) | 7th (Arctic), 7th (other) | 10 |
| 2022 | 8 | 4th (Ypres) | 5th (Japan), 6th (Finland) | 33 |
| 2023 | 0 | N/A | WRC2 focus | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 | N/A | WRC2 focus | 0 |
| 2025 | 1 | 1st (Estonia) | Maiden win, ongoing season | 30 (as of Nov 19) |
Support category results
Oliver Solberg's career in the World Rally Championship's support categories has included strong performances in WRC3 and WRC2, with multiple victories demonstrating his skill on various surfaces. In 2021, while focusing on his WRC debut, Solberg competed in select WRC3 events with a Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, finishing third in the overall WRC3 drivers' standings. His notable results included a second place at Rally Estonia in 2020 (his first WRC3 win was there), but 2021 efforts contributed to his junior accolades.[1][3] Solberg did not contest WRC2 in 2022, prioritizing the Rally1 category with Hyundai.[1] In 2023, returning to WRC2 with Toksport WRT in a Škoda Fabia RS Rally2, Solberg secured three class wins, including victory at Rally Sweden where he became the first Rally2 driver to finish a full WRC day in the overall top three. He finished sixth in the WRC2 standings.[1][25] In 2024 with Škoda Motorsport, Solberg achieved three WRC2 victories and finished second in the championship behind Sami Pajari. A notable result was his competitive performance at Secto Rally Finland.[3][51] In 2025, driving a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 for Printsport, Solberg dominated WRC2 with five class victories—at Rally Sweden (his third consecutive win there), Rally Croatia, Rally Italia Sardegna, Vodafone Rally de Portugal (second place), and Rally Chile Bio Bío where he clinched the drivers' title on September 14. As of November 19, 2025, the season continues.[1][52][28]| Year | Category | Rally | Position | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | WRC3 | Estonia | 1st | Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo |
| 2021 | WRC3 | Various | 3rd in standings | Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo |
| 2023 | WRC2 | Sweden | 1st | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 |
| 2024 | WRC2 | Finland | 4th | Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 |
| 2025 | WRC2 | Sweden | 1st | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 |
| 2025 | WRC2 | Croatia | 1st | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 |
| 2025 | WRC2 | Sardinia | 1st | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 |
| 2025 | WRC2 | Portugal | 2nd | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 |
| 2025 | WRC2 | Chile | 1st | Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 |
ERC and rallycross results
Oliver Solberg's results in the FIA European Rally Championship (ERC) and rallycross series highlight his early talent in junior and production categories, with several class victories establishing his reputation before transitioning to higher levels. In the ERC, Solberg debuted in 2019 with a win at Rally Liepāja, becoming the youngest ERC winner at age 17. He secured the ERC1 Junior title that year with additional wins at Rally Romania and Rally Hungary. In 2020, he won Rally Estonia and claimed the ERC1 Junior Championship. In 2021, he finished second at Rally Islas Canarias, defending his junior title. Overall, he had four ERC victories and five podiums in 2019.[3][53] Solberg's rallycross career began with strong showings in regional series before international competition. In 2018, he finished fifth at the Franciacorta round of the European Rallycross Championship (ERX) and won the RallyX Nordic Championship. From 2020 to 2022, he competed in the FIA World Rallycross Championship (WRX) and ERX, including a win at Nyirád in ERX 2021 and second at Circuit Jules César, Belgium in WRX 2022. In 2023, he won the Sweden round of WRX. These results demonstrated his versatility, though he shifted focus to rallying.[2]| Year | Event | Series/Class | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Rally Liepāja | ERC/ERC1 Junior | 1st[53] |
| 2019 | Rally Romania | ERC2 | 1st[3] |
| 2019 | Rally Hungary | ERC2 | 1st[3] |
| 2020 | Rally Estonia | ERC | 1st[3] |
| 2021 | Rally Islas Canarias | ERC | 2nd[54] |
| Year | Event | Series | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Franciacorta | ERX | 5th |
| 2021 | Nyirád | ERX | 1st |
| 2022 | Belgium (Circuit Jules César) | WRX | 2nd |
| 2023 | Sweden | WRX | 1st |