Oliver Solberg winner of the Latvian Rally

At just 17 years old, Oliver Solberg is on the fast track. The Norwegian, son of the world rally champion and rallycross Petter Solberg, won this Sunday May 26 the Rally of Latvia, event counting towards the European Rally Championship (ERC). 

UNBEATABLE!
This is the biggest day of my life, vinning my @FIAERC @LVRally debut with the drive of my life!
Thanks, Takk, Tack to my amazing team and family and all my fans for your brilliant support – WE DID IT! pic.twitter.com/XsOzRdwrrD

— Oliver Solberg (@OliverSolberg01) 26th May 2019

For his first ERC start, Oliver Solberg chose the Volkswagen Polo GTI R5. The teenager had never driven at European level with an R5, never had he competed on gravel with an R5! Despite this leap into the unknown, the Nordic driver dominated the proceedings, leading the race from the first special stage with his co-driver Aaron Johnston. 

OOOOPS! That's not how it's supposed to be done… We lost approximately 6 sec here at SS3 – but we're still in the lead at @FIAERC @LVRally !#FIAERC #RallyLiepaja pic.twitter.com/NXiHdfXYcj

— Oliver Solberg (@OliverSolberg01) 25th May 2019

Despite a scare in SS6 (see video below) then the arrival of rain on Sunday, Oliver Solberg kept a cool head and contained the return of Alexey Lukyanuk (Citroën). The latter failed at 22”7. Martin Sesks (Skoda) completes the podium. Ken Torn (Ford) wins the ERC3 and Junior ERC categories. Jean-Baptiste Franceschi (Ford) and Jacques-Julien Renucci finished just off the podium. 

Find the report from the ERC in Latvia in the next AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands. 

ERC standings 2019 Rally Latvia: