WRC 2
Solberg exorcises Chile demons with WRC2 title glory
Oliver Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson were crowned 2025 WRC2 champions* on Sunday after sealing victory at Rally Chile Bio Bío.
The 23-year-old Swede navigated Sunday’s four-stage finale with the poise of a champion-elect, extending his overnight lead over Nikolay Gryazin to take maximum points - and with them, an unassailable lead in the standings. Ironically, it was a puncture at this very event 12 months ago that cost him the 2024 title by just three points.
Solberg’s 2025 campaign was a dominant one. After switching from Škoda to a Printsport-run Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 - the same car and team that powered Sami Pajari to last year’s title - he claimed five wins from his seven scoring rounds.
The season began with a third consecutive win at Rally Sweden, followed by triumphs in Portugal, Greece, Paraguay, and, ultimately, Chile to secure the championship.
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“Unbelievable,” Solberg enthused. “I don't know what to feel, it's kind of overwhelming. It's a very big relief. Last year we had a bit of bad luck and we should have won it, this year has just been an incredible with the team and Toyota taking me on board with a fantastic car. I am very, very happy.”
His title hopes were significantly boosted on Friday when key rivals Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith both retired, leaving only Gryazin in a position to delay the celebrations. Rossel’s challenge ended with an oil leak following a heavy compression, while Greensmith succumbed to engine problems.
Although Gryazin finished 40.4sec behind Solberg, the Škoda driver remains in contention for the WRC2 Challenger title and secured maximum points in that category. Jan Solans rounded out the WRC2 podium in his Toyota, though the Spaniard was more than a minute adrift of Gryazin.
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There was plenty of late drama in the fight for fourth, with Chilean hero Jorge Martinez under intense pressure from Paraguay’s Fau Zaldivar on the final day. Martinez held firm to finish just 1.5sec ahead in his Škoda.
*Subject to confirmation of the results by the FIA
