Petter Solberg gives heartfelt tribute after Oliver Solberg Rally Estonia win

World Rally Champion, Petter Solberg, has left a heartfelt tribute to his son as Oliver Solberg secured victory at the championship’s Rally Estonia. 

Feature image credit: Jaanus Ree // Red Bull Content Pool

2003 World Rally Champion Petter Solberg watched, alongside the rallying community, as his son, 23-year-old Oliver Solberg, dominated in his first-ever WRC rally event in Estonia. 

Solberg, who was competing for Toyota in a one-off appearance, away from his usual WRC2 campaign, took the rally lead on Friday – and his first-ever stage win – and never looked back. He and co-driver Elliott Edmondson managed the gap to the two trailing Hyundais of Ott Tanak and Thierry Neuville.

After slowly increasing the gap over the two Hyundais, the winning margin finished at 25.2 seconds over second-placed Tanak, at the Estonian’s home event. 

Following Toyota’s victory, the 2003 world champion put out a heartfelt tribute to his son’s achievement, claiming, ‘This means everything.’ He said: 

This means everything ❤️ I can normally talk a lot, but it’s hard to find the words!

Big thanks to the whole @TGR_WRC team for the opportunity and incredible support they gave to @OliverSolberg01 & Elliott. And to Oliver’s wider team, all the amazing partners and people who… pic.twitter.com/evfw42Od6G

— Petter Solberg (@Petter_Solberg) July 20, 2025

“This means everything. I can normally talk a lot, but it’s hard to find the words!

“Big thanks to the whole @TGR_WRC team for the opportunity and incredible support they gave to @OliverSolberg01 & Elliott. And to Oliver’s wider team, all the amazing partners and people who have supported over the years. What an incredible weekend!”

The Toyota driver was catapulted into the Rally1 Yaris with relatively short notice and was given two days of testing in Finland before the event. The decision was part of the team’s commitment to provide a path for young drivers and crews to reach the pinnacle of rallying. 

Solberg was given his opportunity after achieving strong results in his Rally2 Yaris, in the WRC2 category, where he leads the championship, ahead of championship rivals Yohan Rossel and Gus Greensmith.

The 23-year-old’s victory in Estonia also marks Toyota’s 100th rally win in the championship.

Read more WRC here:

• Oliver Solberg dominates win at WRC Rally Estonia
• Oliver Solberg one stage away from WRC victory at Rally Estonia
• Oliver Solberg on cusp of WRC victory at Rally Estonia
• Solberg storms out front at WRC Rally Estonia ahead of Tanak
• Thierry Neuville takes overnight lead at WRC Rally Estonia
• Ott Tanak fastest on first pass of home Rally Estonia shakedown

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.