Oliver Solberg Embraces Maximum Risk at WRC Finland 2026

Oliver Solberg is taking an all-out approach into WRC Finland 2026 after discussions with Juha Kankkunen, believing the nature of the rally demands maximum commitment in the pursuit of victory.

Solberg has shown considerable speed throughout the season with Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, including victory at Rally Monte Carlo and podium finishes in Portugal and Estonia. That pace, however, has also been accompanied by five retirements from WRC rallies this year.

His record in Finland reflects the same approach. Solberg has twice won the WRC2 category at the event, but he also remembers crashing at the very first corner of Friday’s opening stage in the 2022 edition.

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“I’ve spoken a lot with Juha about it. This is the kind of rally where you either win or crash out,” Solberg said. “I’ve won here twice and crashed out twice, so it’s fifty-fifty.”

Solberg expects at least seven drivers to be involved in the fight for the top three. He believes Hyundai has shown strong pace, while Toyota’s entire line-up also has the potential to compete at the front.

The revised route could help Solberg, particularly because he has less Rally1 experience on the Finnish stages than several of his rivals. The addition of numerous new sections means drivers will enter parts of the event with more equal levels of reference.

Solberg is also determined to respond after being comprehensively outpaced by Sami Pajari at Rally Estonia. “I wasn’t really in that fight. I felt better on Sunday, but apart from that Sami was really strong. Hopefully we can find a bit more pace now,” he said.

WRC Finland 2026 will therefore offer Solberg an opportunity to rediscover his strongest pace, although he expects the battle to extend far beyond himself and Pajari as the leading group prepares for an exceptionally close contest.