Wednesday, November 13, 2024

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Solberg sheds light on the mystery surrounding Rally 1/Rally2 2025 WRC

Oliver Solberg says returning to the highest class of the World Rally Championship next 12 months is his “dream” but is careful to not make the identical “mistake I made last time”.

The WRC2 points leader is yet to secure a spot within the WRC for next season, but could have the choice of moving as much as Rally1 or staying within the second division for a 3rd successive campaign.

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According to team principal Richard Millener, Solberg's best probability of returning to Rally1 next 12 months will likely come from M-Sport-Ford, with the team's plans for 2 Ford Pumas next season “incredible”.

M-Sport could have each seats vacant for 2025, with its major driver Adrien Fourmaux strongly linked with leaving the British squad to co-drive a 3rd factory Hyundai.

Solberg was linked with competing in Rally1 with M-Sport this season before deciding to sign a contract with Skoda to compete in WRC2, driving for the Toksport team.

The 23-year-old admitted that returning to Rally 1 next 12 months can be “difficult” and “attractive” but that making his decision is crucial is that he’s confident he’s making the suitable move.

Solberg's last Rally 1 experience got here in 2022, when the Swede launched into a difficult part-time campaign in his third Hyundai automobile, which resulted in 4 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: Red Bull Content Pool

“I don't think so [2025] it looks completely different to what I have now and of course my dream is to start Rally1, but I think it will be difficult, but you never know,” Solberg told Autosport/Motorsport.com.

Asked about the opportunity of vacancies in M-Sport, he added: “If I take into consideration my short-term future, perhaps it will be very attractive, but in the long run my dream is to remain within the WRC for a very long time and I don't need to make the identical mistake as last time with Hyundai.

“Of course, [with] what happened there, you’re very careful in making decisions. I feel M-Sport could be great and so they had an amazing season, which is difficult.

“I'm one of the youngest [drivers here] but this is a big step in your career and you want to make sure you take the right one this time.”

Solberg maintains he has “nice” options to proceed competing in WRC2 if he fails to make Rally 1 next 12 months.

“I think I have very good options for WRC2 and I'm extremely happy with the options I've been offered,” he added.

“Honestly, I don't think anyone will have it in WRC2, it's certainly very attractive, but my dream is Rally 1, but at least in WRC2 I have some nice options.”

Solberg's stock could rise further as the motive force could secure a maiden WRC2 title if results are favorable on the season finale in Japan next month.

The Skoda driver currently leads the standings, but won’t race on the asphalt roads of Japan as he has already accomplished seven races through which he scored points.

However, Solberg will secure the title if rival Sami Pajari doesn’t finish first or second in Japan.

“Of course I really like rallying, so I’ll probably watch every stage [on TV at home]– he added. “But often after I watch it, every little thing goes well for my competitors, so perhaps I'll just go and disappear somewhere.

“We'll see, it could be very exciting.”

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