Метка: Oliver Solberg

Solberg sheds light on 2025 WRC Rally1/Rally2 conundrum

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Oliver Solberg says returning to the World Rally Championship’s top tier next year is his “dream”, but is wary not to make the same “mistake I did last time”.

The WRC2 points leader is yet to secure a WRC seat for next season but could have options to graduate to Rally1 or remain in the second tier for a third consecutive campaign.

Solberg’s best chance to make the step back to Rally1 next year is likely to come from M-Sport-Ford, with the team’s plans for its two Ford Pumas for next season, “up in the air”, according to team principal Richard Millener.

M-Sport could have both seats open for 2025 with its lead driver Adrien Fourmaux heavily linked to a move away from the British squad to pilot the third factory Hyundai entry.

Solberg was linked to a Rally1 drive with M-Sport for this season before opting to sign a deal with Skoda to compete in WRC2, driving for the Toksport outfit.

The 23-year-old admitted that making the leap back to Rally1 next year would be “difficult” and “attractive”, but ensuring he is making the right step is critical to the decision.

Solberg’s most recent Rally1 experience came in 2022 when the Swede endured a difficult part-time campaign piloting Hyundai’s third car that yielded four top-10 finishes and three retirements.

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Hyundai World Rally Team Hyundai i20 N Rally1

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

“I don’t think it [2025] looks very different to what I have now, and obviously the dream is to be in Rally1 but I think that will be difficult, but you never know,” Solberg told Autosport/Motorsport.com.

When asked about the possibility of vacant seats at M-Sport, he added: “If I think about my short-term future, maybe it would be very attractive, but long-term my dream is to stay in the WRC for a long time and I don’t want to do the same mistake I did last time with Hyundai.

“Obviously, [with] what happened there, you are very careful about what decision you make. I think M-Sport could be great and they have had a great season, it is difficult.

“I am one of the youngest [drivers here] but it is big step for your career and you want to be sure that you make the right one this time.”

Solberg maintains that he has “cool” options to continue in WRC2 if graduating to Rally1 next year doesn’t eventuate.

“I think I have very good options for WRC2 and I am extremely lucky with the options I have been offered,” he added.

“It is something that I don’t think anyone has got in WRC2 to be honest, for sure that is very attractive, but my dream is Rally1, but at least for WRC2 I have some cool options.”

Solberg’s stock could yet rise as the driver could secure a maiden WRC2 title should results go his way at the Japan season finale next month.

The Skoda driver currently leads the standings but won’t be competing on Japan’s asphalt roads having already completed his seven point-scoring events.

Solberg will however secure the title if rival Sami Pajari fails to finish either first or second in Japan.

“Obviously I love rallying so I will probably watch every stage [on TV at home],” he added. “But, normally when I watch its goes good for my competitors, so maybe I will just go and disappear somewhere.

“We will see, it could be very exciting.”

Read Also:



Source link

Solberg’s failed Rally Chile protest to be reheard by stewards

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


The WRC2 title fight could be set for another twist following confirmation that a previously rejected protest from Oliver Solberg will be reheard by Rally Chile stewards.

A petition led by FIA road sport director Andrew Wheatley has resulted in the case regarding a notional time being awarded to Solberg’s title rival and Rally Chile WRC2 winner Yohan Rossel to be reviewed.

Solberg lodged a protest asking the stewards to re-evaluate a notional time awarded to Rossel that helped the Citroen driver to victory. Rossel vaulted from third to WRC2 class lead when stewards deemed Solberg had hindered the Frenchman during stage 11 and subsequently knocked 40s off his stage time.

Solberg was leading the class in the test when he suffered a puncture which cost the Swede 1m30s to change a wheel. Solberg rejoined the stage ahead of Rossel who felt he had been held up by the Skoda driver while passing through the stage affected by thick fog.

The incident is likely to play a part in determining the outcome WRC2 title as Solberg could have secured the championship with a victory in Chile.

Stewards initially deemed Solberg’s protest inadmissible «because under the FIA International Sporting Code, it is not permissible for the Stewards to review/re-hear their decisions through a protest.»

However, a subsequent stewards report released on Friday states that «significant and relevant new element which was unavailable to the parties seeking the review at the time of the decision concerned.»

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2

Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool

The case will be re-opened and reviewed at a date yet to be announced.

«The Stewards examined video evidence and GPS tracking data provided by the FIA, which was information that was not in the possession of the Clerk of the Course, nor of the Stewards, at the time of the decision was made. The Stewards consider this to be new information,» read the stewards report.

«The FIA explained the relevance of the videos and the GPS tracking data and indicated that if this information had been available at the time the request from the Competitor of Car No. 21 for a new time was received, then a different representation would have been made to the Stewards in relation to the Competitor’s request on SS11 (Lota 2). The Stewards consider the FIA’s submission to be significant and relevant.

«Having considered the matter extensively, the Stewards decide to re-examine their decision in accordance with Article 14.1.1 of the 2024 FIA International Sporting Code and wish to hear from the parties concerned, namely the Competitor of Car No. 21 and a representative of the FIA, at a time and place to be determined thereafter.»

Solberg currently leads the WRC2 championship standings by 12 points over Rossel, but will now have to rely on results elsewhere to keep his title hopes alive having completed his seven points-scoring events.

Rossel and Sami Pajari (15 points adrift of Solberg) remain in title contention with the pair set to complete their final rounds at the Central European Rally and Rally Japan respectively.



Source link

Stewards reject Solberg protest, Rossel keeps WRC2 Chile win

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Yohan Rossel has been officially declared the winner of WRC2 at Rally Chile after stewards rejected a protest from Oliver Solberg.

WRC2 title contender Solberg lodged a protest asking the stewards to re-evaluate a notional time awarded to Rossel that helped the Citroen driver to victory on Sunday. 

Rossel vaulted from third to WRC2 class lead when stewards deemed Solberg had hindered the Frenchman during stage 11 and subsequently knocked 40s off his stage time.  

Watch: Rally Chile Bio Bío Wolf Power Stage highlights

Solberg was leading the class in the test when he suffered a puncture which cost the Swede 1m30s to change a wheel. Solberg rejoined the stage ahead of Rossel who felt he had been held up by the Skoda driver while passing through stage affected by thick fog.

The incident is likely to play a part in determining the outcome WR2 title as Solberg could have secured the championship with a victory in Chile. Solberg eventually finished fourth in class, 26.1s behind Rossel after winning all four of Sunday’s stages.  

Solberg felt he didn’t hold up his title rival and speaking before the stewards hearing he said: “I have seen his [Rossel’s onboard] video and I have seen my own video and I didn’t hinder him in any way and also there was so much fog and it was raining that there was no dust either so I don’t really know why he complained.”

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2

Oliver Solberg, Elliott Edmondson, Toksport WRT Skoda Fabia Evo Rally2

Photo by: McKlein / Motorsport Images

However, stewards deemed Solberg’s protest inadmissible “because under the FIA International Sporting Code, it is not permissible for the Stewards to review/re-hear their decisions through a protest.”

“The Protest, as clarified and confirmed by the Protester in the hearing, seeks to reopen a Stewards’ decision, to present further evidence by the Protester and then call for the Stewards to make a new decision about the same subject matter. Under the FIA International Sporting Code, it is not permissible for the Stewards to review/re-hear their decisions through a protest,” read the stewards report.

“Moreover, the Protester has given notice of an intention to appeal against Stewards Decision No. 5. As such that decision is now subject to a review and determination by a higher court (namely the International Court of Appeal) and thus the subject (i.e. matters relating to Stewards Decision No. 5) no longer fall within the remit of this current panel’s judicial jurisdiction.

“The Stewards conclude that the protest is inadmissible and likely the incorrect judicial process that the Competitor should undertake.”

Solberg leaves Chile with a 12-point lead over Rossel in the WRC2 standings but will now have to rely on results elsewhere to keep his title hopes alive having completed his seven points-scoring events.

Rossel and Sami Pajari (15 points adrift of Solberg) remain in title contention with the pair set to complete their final rounds at the Central European Rally and Rally Japan respectively.

“We will never give up. It is very bitter at the moment I’m bit emotional now because I wanted to win it and now it is difficult. It has been such good year and it is all I ever dreamed about,» said an emotional Solberg after completing the rally.

“It is not over but straight away now it is bit hard because the dream was to win it this weekend and it looked very good and it felt very good. 

“The plan was to drive slow Friday and Saturday to just be there for Sunday because I knew Sunday would be no problem. It was the plan and it almost worked.”

Read Also:



Source link

Petter and Oliver Solberg to go head to head in ERC

Опубликовано от ASPPA IMAGES ANO


Last week, 2003 world champion Petter Solberg announced plans to come out of retirement to contest the Royal Rally of Scandinavia (13-15 June), which will mark his first full rally since Wales Rally GB in 2019. Petter is set to drive a family-owned Volkswagen Polo, which he took to WRC2 victory in Wales five years ago – the very event when Oliver made his WRC debut.

However, to add extra spice to the ERC’s visit to Sweden, son Oliver has now confirmed plans to pilot the Rally2 Skoda Fabia in the gravel event, which he won last year with the Polo that will now be driven by his father.

Oliver Solberg heads to Sweden in fine form, sitting second in the WRC2 standings after a win in Sweden and second place in Kenya.  

“Maybe it’s time for some revenge,” Oliver Solberg joked. “Seriously, it’s just going to be really nice to compete on another event with my father. Of course, it’s going to be interesting to look to the times and, yes, probably when I’m at the end of the stage, his is going to be the first one I look for. 

Petter Solberg and Oliver Solberg

Petter Solberg and Oliver Solberg

Photo by: Ben Lawrence

“And I think he can be fast. We were doing some driving together over the winter and he’s still got it, he was still right there. I think he talked a little bit about the pacenotes – this is probably going to be the more complicated part for him, putting all the trust in the notes again is tricky after [such a] long time away.

“This really is my home event, it’s half an hour from home, so you imagine it’s a special one.

“But the main thing is just to be driving at home. Royal Rally is definitely one of my favourites of the season and, like I said, to be driving against my father is very cool.”

Before focussing his attention on the head-to-head with his father, Oliver is back in WRC action this weekend at Rally Sardinia.  

Read Also:



Source link