Knowing what to expect from Oliver Solberg in 2026 was tricky.
Talking to DirtFish in December, co-driver Elliott Edmondson was very clear in his optimism.
“Well to use Oliver’s quote, which he says all the time, which is everything’s possible,” he said. “Which is true! You have to be that optimistic.”
But not even he quite thought this would be possible. It was the dream that came true.
Solberg humbled his World Rally Championship rivals with a demanding, 31s stage win on the Monte Carlo Rally’s second stage – and from there he protected his advantage to secure a second WRC win in as many Rally1 starts.
“I don’t know what to say. It’s just a dream come true. Well, it wasn’t a dream really because I never thought it was possible!” My dream was top five, top three or something like that, and then ending up right here as a winner of the most difficult rally ever and the most historic rally ever, it’s just… phwoar, mind-blowing,” he reflected.
Clearly, neither the crew nor Toyota’s management dared believe Solberg’s start to the season would be quite so emphatic.
“It was a surprise for ourselves,” deputy team principal, Juha Kankkunen, told DirtFish.
“We knew that he’s fast, and he’s good. He has been learning very well, lessons with the Rally2 car during the championship, so he’s ready [for Rally1]. But to be honest, I thought he would be in the podium or closer there, but to win the rally…
“You need luck here always,” the four-time champion smiled. “I know: I did the rally 15 times. I went off a few times, but I did always good results I think. To be honest, he did a good job.”
Takamoto Katsuta described his team-mate’s drive as “more than incredible”, believing that “he also didn’t expect something like this maybe before the rally”.
He added: “Maybe not so many drivers or people did, but yeah, he just did something crazy, an amazing job. Even though I was competing in the same category and in the same championship, I am really… how do I say, proud of how he has done. And yeah, it’s super nice I have team-mates [like this].”
Those within the Toyota fold may not have seen it coming, but one of Solberg’s rivals did.
Fourmaux says the nature of this year's Monte means Solberg's win wasn't a shock
“Yes, 100%,” Hyundai’s Adrien Fourmaux said when asked by DirtFish if he expected this from Solberg. “For sure.”
The Frenchman had good reasoning.
“Let’s see on all the events,” he cautioned, “but for sure, I did expect him to be fast. And also, I think the conditions also, I think, helped him a little bit. Because it was not really Monte like the last six years, but more like Monte, like, I think he’s driving this kind of road where he is, you know?
“So it’s not really a proper Tarmac event what we have seen here, but congratulations to him, he did a very good job. He had luck a little bit on his side, but sometimes to win you need it, so that’s good.”
Sébastien Ogier knows what it’s like to win the Monte Carlo Rally near the start of your career. Solberg, 24, usurped Ogier (who was 25 in 2009) as the youngest ever winner of the event.
Ogier congratulates Solberg just after he'd won the rally he's bossed 10 times
“I’m sure he’s very delighted,” Ogier said. “It’s a bit different than my first time here probably because for me it was my first international win. He has done that before and he has a huge experience compared to where I was when I was here.
“But no, he’s been doing a superb job this week. Deserved win and it’s nice for the championship. Honestly, I really feel happy for him and really feel that it’s great to have some fresh wins in the championship.
“Some new young gun coming, and I’m looking forward now to battling with him in the future.”
