Oliver Solberg Claims Historic Victory at Rallye Monte-Carlo

Competing in his first full WRC season with Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Solberg seized control from the very first stages on Thursday evening. Together with co-driver Elliott Edmondson, the pair built a commanding 44-second lead on the opening day, and from there nothing could stop them.

With six stage wins, Solberg and Edmondson clinched victory in the 94th edition of Rallye Monte-Carlo – a historic triumph that puts them at the top of the FIA World Rally Championship ahead of round two, which takes place in Umeå at Rally Sweden on 12–15 February.

“I don’t fully understand it yet,” Solberg said at the finish.

“It’s an emotional day. This was the most difficult rally I’ve ever done in my life. It’s my first Tarmac rally in this car – and here we are as winners. I want to give a huge thank you to Toyota for their trust in me. The teamwork has been absolutely fantastic.”

This is Solberg’s second WRC victory, following his sensational win on debut in Toyota’s Rally1 car at Rally Estonia last year. He now joins a distinguished group of Swedish winners of the event, widely regarded as one of the toughest rallies in the world.

Previous Swedish winners include

• Erik “Carlsson on the Roof” Carlsson (Saab 96 – 1962 & 1963)

• Björn Waldegård (Porsche 911 – 1969 & 1970)

• Ove “The Pope” Andersson (Alpine A110 – 1971)

— the last of them 55 years ago.

Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson now lead the FIA WRC by four points over teammate Elfyn Evans heading into their home round, Rally Sweden, in just under three weeks.

The victory once again underlines Sweden’s strong position on the international rally scene.

“A win in Monte-Carlo is one of the most prestigious achievements in rallying,” says Anna Nordkvist, CEO of Rally Sweden and the Swedish ASN:s commercial company.

“Oliver’s victory means a great deal for Rally Sweden and Swedish motorsport, and it shows that Sweden continues to be a strong nation internationally. Monte-Carlo is considered one of the sport’s great classics and attracts the world’s best drivers every year. A Swedish victory there is of huge significance at home as well.”

“This is a real statement for Swedish rallying,” Nordkvist continues.

“The result shows that we have an environment capable of developing drivers at the very highest level and continuing to deliver international success. When a Swedish driver wins Monte-Carlo, it strengthens the sport’s position in Sweden.”

In modern times, the rally has largely been dominated by the French pair Sébastien Ogier and Sébastien Loeb, who together share 18 victories. The last Nordic driver to win was Finland’s Mikko Hirvonen in 2010, when the event was held outside the WRC.

Focus now shifts to Sweden, Västerbotten and Umeå, where the second round of the FIA World Rally Championship will take place on 12–15 February through Rally Sweden. Solberg, who has won the event three years in a row in WRC2, will now meet the home crowd as the World Championship leader.

Secure your tickets for Rally Sweden today at www.rallysweden.com.