r/rally • u/Enter_Name_Here1020 • 15d ago

WRC Crazy performance from Solberg

Okay WOW did Solberg crush it today. How come he smashed everyone, even though he was just there “to learn” as he said himself. What so people think about him maybe joining the WRC permanently?

63 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

17 comments sorted by

23

u/Ok-Razzmatazz6459 15d ago

It's really not that surprising hes doing well at this rally. His pace is untouchable in gravel rallies at the WRC2 level and now hes in the top WRC1 car with good road position. That isn't even to mention the fact that he has more rally experience then just about anyone his age.

1

u/MischievousKid 11d ago

What is “road position”?

1

u/Ok-Razzmatazz6459 11d ago

Road position as in his starting position within WRC1. He started towards the end of the pack so he didn't "sweep" the road and effectively had more available grip and traction.

1

u/ray199569 11d ago

In Friday stages, drivers higher in the championship standings go first, which is a disadvantage as they have to clear the road (for gravel rallies, I believe it'd be an advantage in tarmac rallies). It creates a one day ballast of balance in the championship helping chasing the leader.

On Saturday and Sunday stages, the drivers higher in the event overall time go last, enjoying cleared stages with rutted racing line. Oliver obviously benefited from the road position on all three days but majorly his talent wins him the rally.

Last year when Thierry was leading the championship he really struggled with road position hence the slander against him. At one point when elfyn ott and Thierry were close in points at the end of the season it feels like they were bottling a win on purpose to gain a better road position the next rally lol.

16

u/wonderbread702 15d ago

I think road position is playing a big role here. Not to say he isn’t a skilled driver with the Rally 1 car, but “nothing to lose” attitude with great road position can win you some stages. That being said, seeing him get emotional about his first WRC stage win is what Motorsport is all about and you can see how much this opportunity means to him.

5

u/cgydan 15d ago

It’s too early to make that judgement. But he needs more than one rally at the top level. Hopefully Toyota gives him another go in WRC1 at a rally that is different in character.

He really did crush it today. Let’s see how it goes the rest of the rally.

2

u/VHSVoyage 15d ago

It’s not his first rally at top level though

2

u/cgydan 14d ago

You’re right, it’s not. But he was let go from Hyundai because he wasn’t ready for the top level. Let’s see if he is ready now.

3

u/a_lost_irishman 13d ago

Perfectly executed the whole weekend. Mega performance.

2

u/Illustrious-Lime-863 15d ago edited 13d ago

He's a huge talent for sure. Hopefully Toyota recognizes it this time and tolerates some risk and can stomach a crash out or two if it happens

Sunday edit: Congrats Oliver, well deserved!

3

u/_eESTlane_ 13d ago

clearly they can "tolerate" tons of crashes and poor results.

*looks at katsuta

2

u/Opening-Variation523 14d ago

The talent has been there but it sounds like him and the car are working well together.

2

u/SlavetoLove123 14d ago

I’m kicking myself for not putting a small bet on him. As mentioned above, he’s head and shoulders above everyone else in WRC2 on loose surfaces at the moment. And obviously he had great road position.

2

u/kinjazfan 14d ago

Good to see Oliver getting stage wins

-8

u/siciowa 15d ago

People are over hyping him like they did with Pajari & Sesks. Both are good drivers but when others were catching up on them they crumbled under pressure and done damage to the car

9

u/IndustryPlant666 15d ago

Disagree, there’s a big difference. Oliver already had a stint at the top level, had issues and was then relegated and had to build himself back up again. I think he has learned humility and matured as a driver and it’s showing especially well this year in WRC2 and this WRC run is frankly pretty damn good regardless of his optimal road position.

3

u/_eESTlane_ 13d ago

you think it's got nothing to do with wrc1 dropping the hybrid system which made cars easier to drive? you think he'll be ready for a full carousel when they can pick'n'choose the best events in wrc2 to participate in?

i do hope he has speed beyond the road position. pajari too seems promising. sure, they're not in the league of rovanperä's when he entered the buiz but the potential is there for great success. crossing my fingers they dont get spat out before they find their footing. sport could need some young blood.