Jonne Halttunen Backs Oliver Solberg as Rovanperä’s Heir

WRC, Sportrik Media - Jonne Halttunen has delivered a forthright assessment of Oliver Solberg as the driver set to replace Kalle Rovanperä at Toyota Gazoo Racing from the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) 2026, expressing firm belief that the Swede is ready to become the sport’s next leading figure.

The rally world was stunned last October when Rovanperä, a two-time world champion, announced his decision to leave the WRC after the 2025 season. The Finnish driver outlined plans to compete in Super Formula in Japan, with a long-term ambition of reaching Formula 1. His departure left a significant void, both for Toyota and for the championship itself, removing one of its most prominent stars at the peak of his career.

However, Halttunen—who navigated Rovanperä through his most successful seasons—believes Toyota’s future is secure. He points to Solberg’s 2025 campaign as compelling evidence that the Swedish driver is ready for the responsibility. Solberg’s dominance in the Rally2 category, combined with a standout victory when given an opportunity in a Rally1 car, underpins Halttunen’s confidence.

“The record from 2025 speaks volumes. He won 11 Rally2 events and one rally with a Rally1 car. He dominated everything he took part in,” Halttunen said.

Halttunen went further, offering a bold prediction about Solberg’s trajectory at the top level. In his view, the learning phase that once limited Solberg is now complete, positioning him to contend for world titles rather than merely filling a seat vacated by Rovanperä.

“I say that Oliver will win the world championship within the next two years. That’s my assessment, and I’m willing to bet on it,” Halttunen added.

This conviction is informed by Solberg’s earlier struggles. His 2022 season with Hyundai Motorsport in the top class proved difficult, marked by errors and mounting pressure. Halttunen argues that at the time Solberg lacked both the technical maturity and mental resilience required, and that the expectations placed upon him were fundamentally unfair.

“I was there when he entered the World Championship with Hyundai. He clearly wasn’t ready then, neither as a driver nor mentally. They compared him too much to Kalle,” Halttunen explained.

According to Halttunen, such comparisons ignored the exceptional nature of Rovanperä’s rise. He described the Finn as an outlier whose development curve was unusually steep, even when measured against all-time greats such as Sébastien Loeb and Sébastien Ogier.

“Kalle is a one-in-a-billion type. He was immediately exceptional. Others might reach the same level over a longer period, but Kalle was always faster than everyone else straight away,” he said.

Halttunen’s perception of Solberg shifted decisively during Rally Estonia last season, when Solberg was given a one-off opportunity in Toyota’s Rally1 machinery and claimed a commanding victory. Beyond the raw result, Halttunen was struck by the composure displayed by Solberg and his co-driver under pressure.

“In Estonia, both the driver and the co-driver were calm all the time and knew exactly what they were doing. There was no sign of nerves or pressure. That was the most impressive thing,” Halttunen noted.

Drawing on his own experience as a world champion, Halttunen emphasised that first victories often bring tension. Solberg’s ability to manage that moment suggested a level of maturity typically associated with established frontrunners.

“When the first win comes, it can be tense. In Estonia, they looked like they had already won ten rallies before. That’s a very good sign,” he added.

With extensive experience across categories, a proven Rally1 victory, and the stability of Toyota’s structure behind him, Halttunen believes Solberg’s prospects are now firmly aligned with championship contention. Provided reliability and consistency are maintained, the path to a world title appears realistic rather than aspirational.

“He already has experience from all kinds of rallies, and if the car remains that competitive, I wouldn’t rule out him winning the championship next season,” Halttunen concluded.