Oliver Solberg has been mega for two whole days, but the threat of rain on Sunday is bad news for him
Photography by Toyota
Words by Alasdair Lindsay & David Evans
Only 37.4 miles of running remain of Rally Estonia and Oliver Solberg holds a 21.1s advantage over Ott Tänak heading into Sunday.
On a rally with typically high average speeds, such a lead is – though not comfortable – a strong one with limited mileage left.
But there’s one factor Solberg is concerned might leave him vulnerable to a late charge from Tänak and reigning world champion Thierry Neuville in the chasing Hyundais: rain.
“With the weather, you never know whatever happens,” Solberg told DirtFish. “I’m a bit nervous for the rain because I haven’t tried the car in the rain yet, so let’s see about that.
“Then I’m begging for some dry [conditions] and we’ll see how it goes; I try to keep the same rhythm and do my best and yeah that’s it.”
Solberg reckons he has pace in reserve, but doens't know the car well enough yet to risk it
Should it stay dry, Solberg’s confidence is higher. And, though he suggested he isn’t planning to push any harder on Sunday, Solberg also hinted that he has pace in reserve aboard the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1.
“I am driving very fast, as fast as I can with the experience I have,” he said. “But I feel I can go much faster if I take risks. But I don’t know the car yet to take risks. So I just try to go as fast as I can without making mistakes and so far it’s working quite well.”
His biggest concern on Saturday had been the afternoon loop. Otepää has been on the Rally Estonia itinerary every year since its WRC introduction, while Karaski was run for the first time in 2023. His more experienced rivals’ knowledge of the roads had left Solberg worried he’d start bleeding time.
“For this afternoon, I was nervous,” admitted Solberg. “Of course I was. You know, the guys are pushing maximum, and the stages are narrower with bigger jumps – trickier. They’ve done them so many times in a WRC car and I haven’t.
“I was nervous for the afternoon but the gap has only decreased by 1.7s, so I’m happy.”
Sunday could be Solberg’s date with destiny. Managing his mentality and not getting lost in a sense of the occasion between stages has also been a key part of his rally management so far.
“I’m [taking it] stage by stage and focusing as much as I can and enjoying myself,” he said. “For sure, sometimes your thoughts wander a bit, and then it’s like, no, no, no, back, and then focus, next stage.”
Words:Alasdair Lindsay
Tags: Oliver Solberg, Rally Estonia, Rally Estonia 2025, WRC, WRC 2025
Publish Date July 19, 2025 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2025/07/hA82mThZ-SOLBERG08EST25tb333-780x520.jpg July 19, 2025
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