Oliver Solberg after testing the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1: "The coolest thing I've ever done in my life"

Oliver Solberg joined the Toyota team on Tuesday and Wednesday to complete his first test in the GR Yaris Rally1 as part of his preparation for Rally Estonia.

A dream has come true for Oliver Solberg. This week in Finland, the 23-year-old driver took the wheel of the Yaris GR Rally1 during a test organized by Toyota. Thus, the Finn will return to the premier class, for a weekend stint, with the Japanese factory team. It will be at Rally Estonia next week (July 17-20), another rapid event on gravel.

This will be the current WRC2 championship leader's first appearance in Rally1 since sharing third Hyundai i20 N during the 2022 season. After his test day, he spoke about his feelings to the official website of the WRC. “It was the coolest thing I've ever done in my life and the most fun I've ever had.”, he exclaims.

"So far it's been fantastic, and to drive such an incredible car, to already feel comfortable in it with good speed, is simply incredible. Of course, I'm a little nervous. It's fast, but the feeling is good, and you learn step by step, that's the main thing.", Solberg assures again.

Spend the day with me on a Rally 1 test @TGR_WRC pic.twitter.com/oLQsIly2Uo

— Oliver Solberg 🍩 (@OliverSolberg01) July 9, 2025

Solberg took valuable advice from Ogier

In any case, the young driver considers himself ready to return to Rally1 and “to relearn, to gain experience, to return to the highest level and to learn to fight again”The Swede continues: “Everything will be new: a completely different car, a new team, everything will be different. But it will be a great opportunity to come back. It's been a great season so far to gain experience.”

Furthermore, Oliver Solberg has left no stone unturned in his preparation. He revealed, again on the official WRC website, that he had sought advice from his new teammates, Elfyn Evans, Kalle Rovanperä, Sami Pajari, and Takamoto Katsuta. “I tried to learn from everyone and ask as many questions as possible.”, he advances.

The 23-year-old Toyota protégé also took the time to chat with a certain Sébastien Ogier. “I spoke to him a bit on the phone, he’s a fantastic guy, always very helpful. He tried to help me. I asked him questions to better understand the team and the car. I think he helped me a lot to feel comfortable and confident.”, he admits.

What a dream 😍 pic.twitter.com/XKGMuLoxVj

— Oliver Solberg 🍩 (@OliverSolberg01) July 8, 2025

Before concluding : "I used the other rallies this season to prepare myself in case I had this opportunity. Asking questions to all the drivers is always a good idea."

ALSO READ > Oliver Solberg at the start of the Estonian Rally with the Toyota Yaris Rally1