The 23-year-old arrived to last week's Rally Chile Bio Bío hoping to depart South America wearing the WRC2 crown. And it was all looking good for him and co-driver Elliott Edmondson until the air started to seep from one of four tyres aboard their Škoda Fabia RS Rally2.
Talking to the series leader at the finish, it was impossible not to sense his exasperation and feel his frustration. He’s just won every stage through the final day, slashing the time gap between his fourth place and Yohan Rossel in P1. None of that really helped.
“This hurts,” said Solberg. “You know me and you know how much this sport is meaning to me – it’s all I think about, all that matters. This is tough. I think we deserved this one. We did everything we could.
“We came here knowing a win would be enough and it was looking very good. I was comfortable with the car, with the pace and everything.
Mon 30 Sep 2024
Chile woes leave Solberg's WRC2 title dreams in limbo
Rarely will a driver not registered for WRC2 points have taken as much interest in the Rally2 standings as Oliver Solberg will across the final two rounds of this year’s series.
“All we could do was go for it [on Sunday]. Elliott and me had a lot of fun in the car today, we were going quite hard and to win all of the stages is something nice.
“It is like it is. We’ve done our seven rallies and regardless of what happens, if we win the title or not, I’m super-proud of the season Elliott and me made with the incredible people at Škoda Motorsport and Toksport. I want to thank everybody for what they have done, the hard work they have put in. It’s been an amazing season.
“And Chile has been incredible as well. Fantastic rally and people. Thanks to all of the fans out there – it’s been a pleasure to compete here.”
While Solberg leads the championship by 12 points from Rossel, the Frenchman and Toyota driver Sami Pajari still have scoring opportunities and can still edge the Swede for the title at the final two rounds of the season.
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