Oliver Solberg made his presence felt in a big way with a blistering performance in his GR Yaris Rally1 return at Delfi Rally Estonia. The 23-year-old Swede didn’t just show up, he took control. Storming through the Friday stages, he clocked three fastest times and ended the day 12.4 seconds ahead of the WRC regulars.
Solberg GR Yaris Rally1 Return Stuns the Field
This wasn’t a slow warm-up. Solberg, with co-driver Elliott Edmondson, came out flying, grabbing his first-ever WRC stage win in Peipsiääre. He wasn’t done there. He repeated that pace in the second run and continued to dominate the lightning-fast gravel roads of southern Estonia. With each stage, his confidence grew, and so did his lead.
Even 2019 WRC Champion Ott Tänak couldn’t match the pace on his home turf. Solberg stayed cool, adaptable, and fast, unlocking even more speed after mid-day setup changes helped him gain better traction.
GR Yaris Rally1 Shows Its Grit
Solberg’s pace wasn’t just about talent, it was a testament to the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. The car responded well to changes and delivered consistent performance on challenging loose-surface terrain. Between balance, grip, and responsiveness, the Yaris proved it could still mix it with the best in the WRC field.
As the afternoon unfolded, Solberg pulled further away from Tänak, turning what could have been a close duel into a day of personal triumph. For a one-off appearance, this return felt more like a full-blown comeback.
Power, Setup, and Stage Dominance
The Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 is equipped with a hybrid turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, producing over 500 horsepower when hybrid boost kicks in. That’s matched with advanced suspension tuning for high-speed gravel stages like those in Estonia. Solberg’s crew made critical changes between loops, improving grip and traction, allowing him to attack even harder during the second pass.
Solberg used this performance to its fullest. He led every stage on Friday, including setting fastest times on three of them. His ability to push the car to the limit without overstepping it speaks volumes about both his talent and the machine under him.
Chasing Pack Struggles to Keep Up
Behind Solberg, Tänak gave it everything. Roared on by local fans, he snatched two stage wins but ultimately couldn’t match the Swede’s rhythm. Thierry Neuville stayed in the mix, just 1.8 seconds behind Tänak, despite fighting balance issues in his Hyundai i20 N Rally1.
Kalle Rovanperä, usually a front-runner in Estonia, ended the day in fourth. He admitted that they were already close to the car’s limit. Adrien Fourmaux made a quiet start in his Hyundai debut on fast gravel but improved in the afternoon. Takamoto Katsuta lost some time due to intercom issues and an early overshoot, trailing just behind Fourmaux.
More Drama Expected on Saturday
If Friday was just a taste, Saturday promises more fireworks. With over 125 kilometers across nine stages, including high-speed tests like Kanepi and Raanitsa, the competition is far from over.
Can Solberg hold off the experienced WRC contenders? Or will Tänak find the grip and rhythm he needs to strike back in front of his home crowd?
Either way, the return of Oliver Solberg in a GR Yaris Rally1 has added a welcome dose of unpredictability, and excitement, to this round of the WRC.
Summary
Solberg’s performance at Delfi Rally Estonia is more than just impressive, it’s a statement. Leading from the start, finding speed through setup tweaks, and managing the pressure, he showed maturity well beyond his years. Whether it remains a one-off or marks a bigger return, the WRC is clearly better with Solberg in the mix.
Disclaimer: Performance figures and event status are based on current available data and may be subject to change as the rally progresses.
Source: WRC
