Oliver Solberg loses the WRC title two bends from the finish of the Rally Sardinia: despite the bitter drama, the Swede has no regrets about his attack
Oliver Solberg has no regrets about missing out on the world title following a dramatic crash two bends from the finish of the Rally Italia Sardegna, but admits that the narrow defeat in the WRC title race is very painful.
“It hurts a lot, but I have no regrets. If I hadn’t tried and lost out on time, I’d probably be struggling with it even more. But at least I gave it a go,” says Solberg. “Somehow I got the chance to try at all, and that was incredible. I’m proud, but it hurts. That was my big dream. I really thought I could do it, so it’s a strange feeling.”
Starting the weekend 21 points behind, Solberg put in an outstanding performance and forced a showdown on the final special stage. Had he beaten World Championship leader Elfyn Evans there, the 25-year-old would have become World Rally Champion.
Solberg, co-driven by Elliott Edmondson, seemed on the verge of realising his big dream. At the final split time, he was still 1.9 seconds ahead of Evans. But two bends from the finish, drama struck: Solberg suddenly veered off the gravel track and ended up in the bushes.
The Swede managed to get back on the track and finish the stage. In doing so, he at least secured victory in Rally Sardinia. The World Championship title, however, went to Evans.
“I assumed the bend would be fine, and it was – until I came to a bush, like a sort of gravel bank on the outer edge. I hadn’t expected the car to get stuck there. That’s why it came as a complete surprise to me,” said a visibly shaken Solberg. “I gave it my absolute best right up to the end.”
Despite the dramatic defeat in the World Championship battle, Solberg can look back on a successful season. In his first year as a Toyota works driver, he secured three victories. “I’m proud, and overall it was a brilliant season. It was a rollercoaster ride, and just having the chance at all was incredible,” he says.
“It was a brilliant year and I’ve learnt a lot. I have no regrets and now I just have to look ahead, take the positives with me and hopefully have many more years in which I can try again.”
Despite the bitter defeat, Solberg was quick to praise the new world champion Evans and his co-driver Scott Martin. “I’d like to offer my warmest congratulations to Scott and Elfyn. They’ve clearly earned it with their strong and consistent season,” adds Solberg.
