Oliver Solberg is not shying away from the pressure. Ahead of the WRC season finale in Sardinia, the young driver has added fuel to the title fight with a bold claim: "Elfyn is going to struggle big time on Friday," he said, as quoted by RallyJournal. It's not just mind games; it's a sharp analysis of the dry and dusty conditions that could shake up the order.
Solberg admits he's surprised to still be in contention after a rollercoaster season. "After Greece, I maybe didn't fully believe anymore. But when you think about the rollercoaster season I've had and that I'm somehow still in the fight, it's pretty incredible," he said. He knows his chances are slim, but his belief remains strong. "I'm very happy to be part of this fight. It's a long shot, but I still believe it's possible."
Starting third on the road on Friday is not the worst position, but not ideal either. "It is what it is. You can't do anything about it. You just have to do the best you can to be in a good position on Saturday," he explained. The dry and dusty conditions are expected to trouble Evans, who starts first. "Hopefully we don't struggle too much with that," Solberg hoped.
The Hyundai driver is still weighing his approach. On one hand, he needs to attack flat out, but on the other, he must drive intelligently. "It's a little bit like Greece or Saudi Arabia. There will be a lot of road cleaning this year. There is much more loose gravel than in previous years, at least according to Ogier," he laughed. "The roads also look quite rough. We know we have a bit of a problem with the tyres, so hopefully we can keep out of trouble on that side."
Solberg's strategy is clear: a strong Friday, avoid punctures, then lead the rally into Sunday and take maximum points. "I need to have a very strong Friday and somehow stay clear of punctures. Then I need to try to lead the rally going into Sunday and take the maximum points on Sunday. After that, we'll see what it's enough for," he stated.
Solberg admits he has made straightforward mistakes this season. Now, he can't afford any more. "Nerves are not a problem. I don't think the approach has really changed. You still need to have a clean, good weekend. It's easy to say you're going to go flat out from the start, but it's still Sardinia. You need to be a little bit clever. You need to be in the game until Sunday," he stressed.
When Sunday comes, it's a different story. "I have no choice. I have to try to take all the points I can on Sunday. I definitely believe we have a shot," Solberg concluded. With these words, he not only puts pressure on Evans but also asserts that he is ready to give everything on the stages.
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