Oliver Solberg is ready to return to the top level of the World Rally Championship.
That’s the view of Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala following their duel for WRC2 victory at Secto Rally Finland.
Solberg first stepped up aged 19 to drive a Hyundai World Rally Car on four rounds of the 2021 season, before contesting eight rallies with Hyundai’s works Rally1 car in 2022. Having dropped back to WRC2 last year, he currently leads the title race after three wins, including last weekend in Finland.
Back behind the wheel for his home round, three-time Rally Finland winner Latvala was the closest challenger to Solberg through the weekend and spent Saturday and Sunday driving directly in the Swede’s wheeltracks.
When DirtFish caught up with Latvala ahead of the final day’s stages, discussion turned to his rival and his prospects for the future.
“What I have seen here and his performance this weekend, honestly I can tell you that I think he is ready to step in a Rally1,” Latvala said.
“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.”
Toyota has already given a Rally1 debut to Sami Pajari in Finland, but could there also be room in its line-up for another rising star in Solberg?
“No, not at the moment,” Latvala replied. “But I mean, what I see, his driving and all the work that he’s doing, I can see that he’s ready.”
Just down the road, Latvala’s comments were put to Solberg.
“Well, if he says that, that means a lot, you know,” he responded. “First of all, he’s the team boss of Toyota, which is my dream, you know. But secondly, I think it’s been so cool to fight with him. I’ve grown up watching him, so it’s fantastic to have such a fight.”
Latvala may not have a drive for Solberg, but such a ringing endorsement might be the next best thing – especially when you’ve just beaten him to victory at Rally Finland.
