Petter Solberg / Phil Mills, Subaru, 2003

Petter Solberg

Summary

  1. 1
    Key Facts & Achievements
  2. 2
    Career Summary
Petter Solberg / Phil Mills, Subaru, 2003

Petter Solberg / Phil Mills, Subaru, 2003

© WRC

01

Key Facts & Achievements

Name

Petter Solberg

Nationality

Norwegian

Date of Birth

18.11.1974

WRC Titles

1 (2003)

WRC Wins

13

WRC Podiums

52

WRC Starts

190

WRC Stage Wins

459

Last WRC Event

Wales Rally GB 2019

02

Career Summary

Norwegian rally star Petter Solberg, nicknamed “Mr Hollywood,” became the first Norwegian to win the World Rally Championship in 2003, driving for Subaru. With 13 WRC victories, Solberg’s charismatic personality and spectacular driving style made him one of the sport’s most popular figures.
Solberg made his WRC debut in 1998 before joining Ford’s factory team in 1999. The following year, he moved to Subaru World Rally Team, where a successful partnership began. In 2002, he claimed his maiden victory at Rally GB and finished runner-up to Marcus Grönholm.
The 2003 season featured a thrilling title battle between Solberg, Sébastien Loeb and Richard Burns. Heading into the final round in Wales, all three were in contention. Solberg secured the championship by just one point over Loeb, winning in Cyprus, Australia, France and Great Britain. He finished runner-up to Loeb in both 2004 and 2005, taking five and three rally wins respectively.
Following Subaru’s withdrawal after 2008, Solberg founded the Petter Solberg World Rally Team, running privateer Citroëns. He returned to a factory drive with Ford in 2012. Beyond rallying, Solberg became the inaugural FIA World Rallycross Champion in 2014, successfully defending his title in 2015.
His son, Oliver, has followed in his footsteps, winning the 2025 WRC Rally Estonia as well as the WRC2 title the same year.
Solbergs, 2025

Solbergs, 2025

© Jaanus Ree / Red Bull Contentpool