WRC 2026 Monte Carlo: The Thrilling Story of Oliver Solberg

The iconic Rally Monte Carlo has entered its final day, with only 4 Special Stages remaining. Oliver Solberg, a debutant with Toyota Gazoo Racing, is on the brink of securing his first title of the year.

As of Saturday, the competition has completed 13 Special Stages, with 12 of them won by Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers. Solberg has been the fastest in 6 stages, while Sebastien Ogier has secured 4 wins, and Elfyn Evans has claimed one.

The only non-Toyota stage win went to Adrien Fourmaux of Hyundai.

Going into the final day, Solberg is in the lead, with a significant time advantage over Evans and Ogier. The gap between them and the rest of the field is substantial, with Fourmaux and other drivers trailing by around 6-7 minutes.

Solberg has a strong chance of winning the Rally Monte Carlo for the first time and breaking the record for the youngest driver to do so. At 24 years old, he would surpass Ogier's record, set in 2009 when he was 25 years and one month old.

Solberg's success so far can be attributed to his skill, strategy, and a bit of luck. The treacherous mountain roads have been challenging for all drivers, with slippery conditions due to rain, snow, and ice.

In one particularly impressive display, Solberg navigated a difficult stage with ease, despite a close call where his car slid into a snowbank. He managed to regain control and still secured the fastest time in that stage.

'I don't know what happened, but I was being extremely cautious,' Solberg said. 'I tried to follow the rhythm, and on the exit, it was really snowy. I was very lucky to get out of that situation. It's been a fantastic day and a fantastic week so far. It's really tough out there, and I think everyone has been a bit off in some places, but I'm in a good position.'

Since the shakedown session on Thursday, Solberg has experienced many wild moments. However, he is enjoying the ride and has no specific target in mind for his debut. He is taking it easy and pushing his car to the limit to make the most of the experience.

As a result, he is not thinking too far ahead and is focused on the remaining stages. 'Let's see what tomorrow brings. Maybe it will be another crazy day,' he said.