Oliver Solberg is hoping to have clarity on his World Rally Championship future in the coming weeks having emerged as a leading contender to replace Kalle Rovanpera at Toyota for 2026.
Toyota has a vacancy in its driver line-up for next season following the news that double world champion Rovanpera will leave the WRC to embark on a career in circuit racing, beginning with a stint in Super Formula.
Solberg has quickly become the favourite for the drive and is seen as the logical fit by many in the WRC service park. The son of 2003 world rally champion Petter Solberg had already boosted his hopes of a Rally1 graduation for 2026 by scoring a sensational maiden outright WRC victory in Estonia this year in a one-off Rally1 outing with Toyota. He has since gone on to claim the WRC2 title driving a Printsport-prepared Toyota GR Yaris Rally2.
The 24-year-old maintains that he is yet to know his future for next year but confirmed he’s held discussions with teams for 2026. Solberg spoke to Autosport at this week’s Central European Rally, where he is competing in Rally2 machinery to gather extra experience having sewn up the WRC2 crown last month.
When asked about his future, he said: “I don’t know either yet to be honest and as you know my goal and my dreams are to have a full-time seat.
“Of course, I have been having discussions with everybody and we will try to keep all the doors open, so we will see.
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Toyota Racing
“It has been a fantastic year and it has been my best year ever, so many dreams come true in every aspect of life. I look very positively on the future at least. I hope to get some opportunity wherever it is next year. In the next few weeks I hope to get something done and something more visible and clear.”
Solberg admitted he was “very surprised” by Rovanpera’s decision to leave the WRC.
“He has done a half season before so I wasn’t surprised if he quit but I was surprised why he quit,” he added. “But why not, he is only 25 so if you can, why not go for it. He can come back later to rally but in 10 years he cannot go to Formula 1.”
Hyundai eyeing unchanged line up for 2026
Hyundai team principal Cyril Abiteboul has made it clear that he wishes to keep drivers Thierry Neuville, Ott Tanak and Adrien Fourmaux in its stable for next year.
The Korean marque’s future in the WRC has been a hot topic for several months, but in August it confirmed plans to contest next season. However, it is unclear if Hyundai will continue in the WRC beyond 2026.
Reigning champion Neuville has been vocal regarding his plans to stay with the team next year for what would be a 13th campaign with Hyundai. It appears new signing for this year Fourmaux is likely to extend his stay after confirming to Autosport it is his most likely option.
Tanak remained coy when asked about his future adding,“when the time is right [there will be news]:”
Ott Tänak, Martin Järveoja, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
Abiteboul admitted that it was important to show his drivers that Hyundai remains committed to the WRC given the team’s move into the World Endurance Championship under its Genesis brand for next year.
The former Renault F1 boss believes this week’s appointment of former FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley as Hyundai’s newly created WRC sporting director position will help convince his drivers to stay.
“It is clear what we need is to give them [the crews] the reason to stay and I’m not talking about contracts, l’m talking about showing we want it as hard as they want it. We work as hard as they do and we are as committed as they are,” Abiteboul told Autosport.
“Frankly, I can understand that with the diversification of our programme with this new baby, the LMDh coming along the old baby [WRC] can feel a bit on the side but it is not the case.
“This is also why this announcement that Andrew as our new sporting director is timely to the crews that we are here to win and succeed and we are here to stay.
“I feel comfortable with all three [drivers] but it is on our side to provide for them. Some contracts are pretty advanced but I don’t want to go into specifics. I think all three crews deserve to be given the same demonstration by the team that we are here to succeed and stay.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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