Oliver Solberg will switch from Škoda to a Printsport Toyota for next season’s World Rally Championship, competing for the WRC2 title.
Solberg finished as runner-up this year to Sami Pajari, losing out by just three points in his second season behind the wheel of a Fabia RS Rally2.
But with Pajari moving up to Toyota’s works Rally1 car full-time in 2025, Solberg will use the package that took the Finn to the 2024 WRC2 crown.
Solberg said: “Printsport is a very professional, successful team. I know many of the guys from the past, so it felt right to go with them. And, of course, we know all about the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – it’s incredible to think this car only came out for the first time 11 months ago.
“I will find out more about how the Yaris feels in stage mode when I drive it for the first time soon, but I think everybody appreciated the development work Toyota Gazoo Racing put in. I know it’s a fast car – I know how hard I was pushing to stay ahead of Jari-Matti [Latvala, TGR team principal] when he was driving one in Finland this year!
“Printsport has a good testing schedule through 2025 and, like always, I’m sure there will be some additional developments coming from Toyota Gazoo Racing. There’s a good plan to be as well prepared as possible.”
Solberg spent 2024 competing against the package he will now use in 2025
Printsport team principal, Eero Räikkönen, is looking forward to Solberg joining the team.
“We’re excited to welcome Oliver to our team and we’re very much looking forward to an exciting future,” he said. “We believe the talent of Oliver and Elliott [Edmondson, co-driver] will give us some thrilling moments in the sport and we expect a lot of great moments together.
“We will aim for the best results and a successful season – it’s going to be great to be able to build and share the journey towards new achievements.”
Solberg admitted it wasn’t an easy decision to leave Škoda, but his target for the coming season is obvious: to clinch the WRC2 he narrowly lost in 2024.
“The target for 2025 is definitely to push for the title,” he confirmed. “I’m really proud of what we achieved this year and to miss out on the championship by three points definitely hurts. But, I’m only looking forward now.
Leaving Škoda was not an easy decision for the young Swede
“Like I said, I’m super-proud of what me and Elliott did and leaving Škoda was not an easy decision – I’m very grateful to everybody from Škoda Motorsport and the whole Toksport team for the last two years.
“The aim now is to try to win as many WRC2 rounds and, of course, the championship next season.”
While Solberg made no comment about the potential for any Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 drives, the potential for a top-flight return has to be closer than it was at Škoda.
Toyota demonstrated its ability to take Printsport’s lead driver from WRC2 to the main field with Pajari this season.
