2025 WRC2 Champ Solberg to step up to TGR factory squad next year

Toyota Gazoo Racing is set to field another second-generation star in the WRC for next season.

WRC2 Champion Oliver Solberg is stepping up to a full-time seat in the GR Yaris Rally1 next year, joining Toyota’s five-car squad.

Oliver Solberg scores full-time drive with Toyota GR WRC squad for 2026 image

The 24-year-old Swede is the son of 2003 WRC champion Petter Solberg. His signing comes after a sensational showing at his GR Yaris Rally1 debut back in July, where he scored an outright victory at Rally Estonia.

This will be his first full campaign at the sport’s top level with co-driver Elliott Edmonson, as he previously drove on a partial campaign back in 2022 with Hyundai. Essentially, Solberg’s signing means he will take Kalle Rovanpera’s seat as the latter will switch from rallying to single seater formula racing next year.

Oliver Solberg scores full-time drive with Toyota GR WRC squad for 2026 image

On the other hand, two of WRC’s title contenders will also continue to drive the GR Yaris Rally1 next year. Elfyn Evans and co-driver Scott Martin will continue for a seventh successive season with TGR-WRT while Sébastien Ogier will return for another partial program with co-driver Vincent Landais. The WRC legend will contest more than half of next season’s rallies to pursue further victories and support TGR-WRT’s title push.

“It’s a pleasure to welcome Oliver to the team on a full-time basis after the fantastic job he has done with the GR Yaris Rally2 this year. Along with Elfyn and Seb, who’ve been driving extremely well in the title fight, as well as Takamoto and Sami, we once more have a strong driver line-up with a great mix of speed and experience.” Said Jari-Matti Latvala, team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.