Oliver Solberg finishes runner-up in WRC after dramatic finale in Sardinia

Solberg arrived at the 13th and final round of the season third in the championship, 21 points behind Evans. Together with co-driver Elliott Edmondson, the Swede produced an impressive performance in the finale and took the fight for the world title all the way to the final stage.

Pushing for the title, Solberg slid off the road in one of the final corners and lost 14 seconds.

Elfyn Evans and Scott Martin secured the World Championship title, while Solberg concluded his first full season in the WRC’s top category as runner-up in the championship.

– I tried everything. I gave it everything and didn’t know if it would be enough. So I pushed a little extra at the end and made a small mistake. We’re talking about two corners. I did my best, at least I tried. I gave it my heart, said Oliver Solberg.

The result brings an end to a fantastic debut season for Solberg with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team. He made Swedish rally history in the opening round by winning Rallye Monte-Carlo, becoming the first Swedish winner in 55 years. Later in the season, he followed that up with another victory at Rally Chile and established himself as one of the world’s leading rally drivers.

– What an incredible finale, and what a fantastic season Oliver has had. To fight for the World Championship title right down to the final stages in his first full season in the top category is an enormous achievement. We are incredibly proud of him, and I am convinced that this is only the beginning, says Anna Nordkvist, CEO of Rally Sweden and FIA Vice President for Sport – Europe, who followed the drama on site in Sardinia.

Swedish fans can now look forward to their next opportunity to see Solberg compete on home soil. Rally Sweden takes place in Umeå and Västerbotten in February 2027, as the World Rally Championship enters an entirely new technical era with the introduction of the WRC27 regulations.