Hyundai team principal Andrea Adamo says on the eve of Arctic Rally Finland that Oliver Solberg must enjoy his World Rally Car debut this weekend, but admits that it won’t be without pressure.
Solberg joined Hyundai on a two-year deal at the start of 2021 with the primary focus of delivering the marque its first WRC2 title, but the 19-year-old will drive an i20 Coupe WRC just three rallies into his Hyundai career as team-mate to Pierre-Louis Loubet at 2C Competition.
In an exclusive interview with DirtFish, Adamo said Solberg’s aim has to be to enjoy himself but he also has “a reasonable amount of pressure” on him, as do Hyundai’s two WRC2 drivers Ole Christian Veiby and Jari Huttunen.
“They are young, and they have responsibilities – we are not here spending money for the sake of it,” said Adamo.
“But I think the most important thing to squeeze this younger [generation] is to enjoy themselves. Let me say something maybe stupid but a bit wise: we need the young generation to be interested in the WRC.
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“I think we cannot go ahead with middle-aged people following WRC and the younger [people] being more attracted by gaming or things like this. And to attract young people, you need young people [driving]. I think it’s quite an easy equation.
“So I tell them enjoy, let’s be attractive for the young generation.
“There is a reasonable amount of pressure, there is not no pressure, I am not stupid and he is not either. For sure there is a reasonable amount of pressure.”
Solberg has described his “dream come true” opportunity to pilot a World Rally Car as “very, very exciting” but he has measured expectations of himself.
“Adamo said finish, enjoy and definitely I will enjoy,” he explained.
“We just have to drive and do our best and then we see how it goes but the main goal is get experience, finish and then we see how it goes.”
Photo: Hyundai Motorsport
Craig Breen, who will drive one of the three works Hyundais this weekend, said Solberg has to “relish” the chance he has been given and not get bogged down about his end position on the event.
“It’s not often that a teenager gets his hands on a World Rally Car to go and play on the snow on one of the nicest rallies in the championship, so I’d say don’t get lost in the whole competition side of things,” said Breen, when asked what advice he had for Solberg.
“He can’t forget that ultimately this is every kid’s dream that’s into this kind of sport.
“Obviously it goes without saying he’s going to push hard and he’s going to do an incredible job but don’t forget to wear a smile on your face along the way as well because it’s going to be a memorable experience.”
Solberg’s weekend has become more complicated as he is without regular co-driver Aaron Johnston.
Instead it will be Seb Marshall reading him the notes, but Solberg was confident this would not upset his rhythm.
“I only have to listen to the notes so it’s not a huge difference but he [Seb]’s doing a great job,” he said.
“We had a fantastic recce and are learning to know each other so it’s working well so far.”
