WRC
Solberg “more at peace” after much-needed clean Estonia weekend
Oliver Solberg says he heads to Secto Rally Finland “more at peace with myself” after bouncing back from a mentally tough period with a much-needed return to the podium at Delfi Rally Estonia.
The Toyota Gazoo Racing driver admitted that crashing out of EKO Acropolis Rally Greece last month was mentally the hardest rally he had faced, and was desperate to get his season back on track in Estonia last weekend.
After claiming a stunning maiden WRC win in Estonia last year expectation levels would have been high in the Solberg camp. The weekend began with the 24-year-old frustrated that he couldn’t replicate the feeling experienced 12 months ago, but as the rally progressed improvements followed.
WRC Delfi Rally Estonia 2026, Oliver Solberg / Elliott Edmondson
© WRC / @World
Ultimately, Solberg revealed he wasn't prepared to push 100% all the time and take the extra risk and settled for second behind team-mate Sami Pajairi, who claimed a dominant maiden win.
Solberg did however turn up his performance on Sunday to win the bonus Super Sunday points and win the Wolf Power Stage to leave the weekend with 27 points, only one point fewer than Pajari.
Having identified after Greece that a change to his mental approach was required, Solberg was happy to deliver an important clean drive and claim a significant haul of points.
Oliver Solberg takes a big drop on Saturday in Estonia
© At World
“After Greece that was mentally the hardest rally. This rally [in Estonia] was also hard because you want more and you know you can do more, and at some stages I did and it was fine. It was a case of controlling myself. If I’m not fully comfortable it is ok,” said Solberg.
“I think it was a tricky week, and I think I was a little bit scared all weekend to go 100%. Sami had an amazing feeling and did an amazing job and to match that you needed to risk a lot and push 100%. I don't think this time I was prepared to do it after everything that's happened. So it's very important for me to have a clean weekend and just drive after my feeling along the way. I turned it up a little bit to get the maximum Sunday points.
Oliver Solberg closed the gap to Sami Pajari on Saturday morning
© At World
“I know I can win rallies and I've shown many times I can fight at the top. I think it's also very important to figure out that balance for championship fighting. Sometimes you win, sometimes you are on the podium. But I think I wish I had accepted that a little earlier in the season, but that's easy to say now, but still I'm very happy.”
I’m at least much more at peace with myself and everything
Looking ahead to Secto Rally Finland next week, Solberg says he heads there with a good feeling.
“I’m at least much more at peace with myself and everything,” he added. “We worked well with the car to find a more comfortable feeling. Luckily Finland is quite new with some new stages as the others know it [the rally] extremely well. It is nice to be back in a good feeling.”
