Oliver Solberg Joins Toyota for Thrilling 2026 WRC Campaign – A New Era Begins!
In an electrifying announcement that has sent shockwaves through the motorsport community, 24-year-old Oliver Solberg is set to join Toyota’s World Rally Championship (WRC) driver roster for the 2026 season! This decision marks a monumental leap for Solberg, who will step into the limelight alongside illustrious names like Elfyn Evans, Sebastien Ogier, Takamoto Katsuta, and Sami Pajari. With the departure of two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera, who is transitioning to single-seater racing, Solberg is primed to fill a seat that will undoubtedly be crucial for Toyota’s future.
Solberg’s pathway back to rallying’s elite has been nothing short of meteoric. His standout performance in July at the Rally Estonia, where he clinched Toyota’s 100th WRC victory alongside co-driver Elliott Edmondson, solidified his status as a frontrunner. It seems destiny was calling, as Solberg has long been speculated to make a significant push into the top tier after securing the WRC2 title in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 this past season.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey, Solberg expressed, “This year has been an absolutely incredible one for me as a part of the Toyota Gazoo Racing family. We achieved our main goal to win the WRC2 championship together and to do a fast and consistent season with the GR Yaris Rally2.” He continued, “Now I have this chance to come back to the top level of WRC for a full season, so a lot of dreams have come true for me this year, and I’m really grateful to be part of this great team.”
Toyota’s team principal, Jari-Matti Latvala, couldn’t contain his enthusiasm, stating, “It’s a pleasure to welcome Oliver to the driver line-up on a full-time basis after the fantastic job he has done driving the GR Yaris Rally2 this year.” Latvala highlighted the impressive mix of talent within the 2026 lineup, noting that Evans and Ogier are both fierce competitors in this year’s championship, while Katsuta and Pajari are also on the rise, making for a formidable team.
As the 2026 season approaches, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Evans currently leads the drivers’ championship by a razor-thin margin of three points over Ogier, who recently claimed victory at Rally Japan. Meanwhile, Rovanpera sits in third, trailing by 24 points, all eyes are on the nail-biting finale in Saudi Arabia this month.
With Ogier continuing to compete in a partial schedule, his focus remains on aiding the team in clinching more victories. “The plan next year will be the same for me as the last few seasons: to compete with a partial programme with the goal of helping the team to keep winning rallies and championships,” Ogier affirmed.
Takamoto Katsuta, entering his seventh season, expressed optimism about his performance, stating, “There have been some strong rallies for me where we have been able to fight for the top places.” His determination is palpable as he aims to convert near wins into victories.
Additionally, the Toyota team has announced a partnership with rising Estonian star Jaspar Vaher, who will become the first driver from outside Japan to join its WRC Challenge Programme. This innovative initiative aims to nurture new talent, with Vaher set to compete alongside other promising drivers.
With Oliver Solberg’s full-time commitment to Toyota for 2026, the WRC landscape is primed for an exhilarating season filled with fierce competition, high stakes, and thrilling developments. The rallying world waits with bated breath as this new chapter unfolds!
