Oliver Solberg Claims Historic 2025 WRC2 Championship Title
Oliver Solberg secures the WRC2 championship, marking a historic win for Sweden.
Key Points
- • Oliver Solberg wins the WRC2 championship at 23 years old.
- • He secured the title with five wins out of seven rallies.
- • This is Sweden's first WRC victory in 28 years.
- • Solberg aims to follow in his father Petter's legendary footsteps.
Oliver Solberg has been crowned the 2025 WRC2 world champion, marking a significant achievement in Swedish motorsport and the first WRC title for Sweden in 28 years. After a stunning season where he secured five victories in seven events, Solberg's triumph solidifies his place in rally history.
At just 23 years old, Solberg's journey to the title included a pivotal switch to the Printsport Toyota team ahead of the season. He began on a high note, winning Rally Sweden, followed by a remarkable comeback at Rally Estonia, where he not only clinched first place but also ended Sweden's long wait for a WRC victory since 1997.
His title was sealed with a dramatic rally win in Chile, where he overcame a tough start characterized by a spin that left him with a ten-second disadvantage against competitor Nikolay Gryazin. Despite these challenges, Solberg's performance showcased his skill and determination throughout the season, leading to his statement, "Ikväll ska vi fira som världsmästare" (Tonight we will celebrate as world champions).
The significance of Solberg’s championship extends beyond personal achievement, serving as a beacon of hope for Swedish rally enthusiasts. It represents the first WRC2 title for Sweden since Pontus Tidemand's triumph in 2017 and is part of the legacy of rallying excellence established by his father, Petter Solberg, who won the WRC title in 2003 and two rallycross titles in 2014 and 2015. While Oliver has much to aspire to in matching his father's prestigious record, he remains proud of the milestone he has achieved.
In reflecting on his championship season, Oliver described it as "fantastic," underlining the intense competition and his ambition to return to the top class of rallying, the WRC, in the future.