Oliver Solberg looks ahead after losing the title: “I can be the fastest of them all”

After the tears and disappointment, Oliver Solberg is looking ahead. The WRC vice-champion says: “I can be the fastest of them all.” He is still dealing with the title slipping away two corners from the finish, even though the rally also brought him a third win of the season. Rarely has a winner looked so sad. Spectators chanted his name, but the victory could not overcome the disappointment.

Pernilla emphasized his commitment and offered her support: “All I can do as a mum is support him, give him all my love and tell him how proud I am of him because he gave everything he had.” She said that, before the rally, the prospect of fighting for the title in the final stage after being 21 points behind would have seemed unlikely. At 25, she added, this experience is part of learning, but the blow is brutal.

Petter also spoke of his son’s pain, while pointing out that he had won the rally and finished as world vice-champion. Oliver Solberg, for his part, said: “I’m still very proud of what I’ve done. I’ll move forward and learn from all this.”

Despite the distress of seeing the title slip away on Sunday, Solberg has what it takes to keep pursuing his dream in the near future. Learning to lose without losing his smile may now be part of the journey.