Oliver Solberg “dreams” of full-time WRC seat ...

Oliver Solberg is hoping to have readability on his World Rally Championship future within the coming weeks having emerged as a number one contender to switch Kalle Rovanpera at Toyota for 2026. 

Toyota has a emptiness in its driver line-up for subsequent season following the information that double world champion Rovanpera will leave the WRC to embark on a career in circuit racing, starting with a stint in Tremendous Method.

Solberg has shortly grow to be the favorite for the drive and is seen because the logical match by many within the WRC service park. The son of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg had already boosted his hopes of a Rally1 commencement for 2026 by scoring a sensational maiden outright WRC victory in Estonia this 12 months in a one-off Rally1 outing with Toyota. He has since gone on to assert the WRC2 title driving a Printsport-prepared Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. 

The 24-year-old maintains that he’s but to know his future for subsequent 12 months however confirmed he’s held discussions with groups for 2026. Solberg spoke to Motorsport.com at this week’s Central European Rally, the place he’s competing in Rally2 equipment to collect further expertise having sewn up the WRC2 crown final month. 

When requested about his future, he mentioned: “I don’t know both but to be trustworthy and as you understand my purpose and my goals are to have a full-time seat.

“In fact, I’ve been having discussions with everyone and we are going to attempt to hold all of the doorways open, so we are going to see. 

“It has been a implausible 12 months and it has been my greatest 12 months ever, so many goals come true in each facet of life. I look very positively on the longer term not less than. I hope to get some alternative wherever it’s subsequent 12 months. Within the subsequent few weeks I hope to get one thing achieved and one thing extra seen and clear.”

Solberg admitted he was “very stunned” by Rovanpera’s resolution to go away the WRC.

“He has achieved a half season earlier than so I wasn’t stunned if he give up however I used to be stunned why he give up,” he added. “However why not, he’s solely 25 so in case you can, why not go for it. He can come again later to rally however in 10 years he can not go to Method 1.”

Hyundai eyeing unchanged line up for 2026

Hyundai group principal Cyril Abiteboul has made it clear that he needs to maintain drivers Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak and Adrien Fourmaux in its steady for subsequent 12 months.

The Korean marque’s future within the WRC has been a scorching matter for a number of months, however in August it confirmed plans to contest subsequent season. Nevertheless, it’s unclear if Hyundai will proceed within the WRC past 2026. 

Reigning champion Neuville has been vocal relating to his plans to stick with the group subsequent 12 months for what could be a thirteenth marketing campaign with Hyundai. It seems new signing for this 12 months Fourmaux is more likely to prolong his keep after confirming to Motorsport.com it’s his most certainly choice.

Tanak remained coy when requested about his future including,“when the time is correct [there will be news]:”

Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Crew Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool

Abiteboul admitted that it was necessary to point out his drivers that Hyundai stays dedicated to the WRC given the group’s transfer into the World Endurance Championship below its Genesis model for subsequent 12 months. 

The previous Renault F1 boss believes this week’s appointment of former FIA street sport director Andrew Wheatley as Hyundai’s newly created WRC sporting director place will assist persuade his drivers to remain.    

“It’s clear what we want is to offer them [the crews] the rationale to remain and I’m not speaking about contracts, l’m speaking about exhibiting we wish it as arduous as they need it. We work as arduous as they do and we’re as dedicated as they’re,” Abiteboul instructed Motorsport.com.

“Frankly, I can perceive that with the diversification of our programme with this new child, the LMDh coming alongside the previous child [WRC] can really feel a bit on the facet however it isn’t the case.

“That is additionally why this announcement that Andrew as our new sporting director is well timed to the crews that we’re right here to win and succeed and we’re right here to remain. 

“I really feel comfy with all three [drivers] however it’s on our facet to offer for them. Some contracts are fairly superior however I don’t wish to go into specifics. I feel all three crews should be given the identical demonstration by the group that we’re right here to succeed and keep.” 

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– The Motorsport.com Crew