Hyundai Motorsport and Oliver Solberg have announced that their relationship will end at the end of the season. The South Korean firm wants to bet on a lineup of more experienced drivers in 2023 and the young Swedish driver does not fit the profile.
Oliver Solberg’s discreet season presaged that in 2023 he would not be behind the wheel of one of Hyundai’s ‘Rally1’. However, it was difficult to predict a total divorce between the parties as it has finally happened. Oliver Solberg and Hyundai Motorsport part ways at the end of this season, although the young Swedish driver will no longer be in the Hyundai i20 N Rally1.
Oliver Solberg has contested a total of eight WRC rallies at the controls of the Hyundai i20 N Rally1, rounds to which must be added his presence in Portugal with a ‘Rally2’ of the South Korean manufacturer tinted with the colors of Monster Energy. Nine rallies in which Oliver’s best result has been fourth place at the Ypres Rally Belgium, a test in which there was also a notable number of retirements among his direct rivals.
Oliver Solberg has failed to meet Hyundai Motorsport’s expectations in a disappointing season
Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson will not race for Hyundai Motorsport in either Spain or Japan, although they are expected to do recce with the team at least at the Japanese event. Be that as it may, Solberg’s presence at Hyundai already has an expiration date after a season in which the young Swedish driver has added three retirements and has had some big mistakes.
Hyundai Motorsport’s driver line-up for next year remains to be determined in light of the marque’s intention to have three experienced drivers in its three Hyundai i20 N Rally1s. Thierry Neuville will continue with the team, but it is not so clear that Ott Tänak will repeat with Hyundai next year. Assuming that the Estonian continues, the third car seems to go to Dani Sordo and a driver with more experience than Solberg. The brand has Teemu Suninen in WRC2.
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Hyundai’s plan
Oliver Solberg explained Hyundai’s decision: “I am disappointed by the situation, but I have to respect the team’s decision and his new plan to go ahead with three cars and have only experienced drivers. It has been very kind of Hyundai to be open with me throughout the process. I know it was not an easy decision for them.”
The young man has been grateful for this season in the elite of the WRC: «I am very grateful for this opportunity. We knew that this season would be learning and it has been. It will certainly be a valuable experience for me in the next stage. I remain fully committed to the team for the rest of the year. We will end this chapter on good terms, I will always wish you the best».
The other side of the coin
Julien Moncet has been very elegant in expressing the need to have three experienced drivers and not make youthful mistakes like Oliver Solberg: «To be honest, Oliver has been a great asset to our team this season, also showing that he is eager to learn. Nevertheless, we have seen the benefits of having a team with experienced drivers in our cars. This will be our focus for the 2023 lineup.”
“Oliver will stay with us until the end of the year, joining us for recce at Rally Japan, as well as doing other activities with the team. We wish you the best for the future. In the World Rally Championship you never know when paths may cross again. We ended this relationship on good terms and we know that Oliver will take the right step to continue his career» added Moncet.
Photos: hyundai motorsport