Solberg makes Toyota switch for WRC2 2025 title shot after Pajari promotion

Oliver Solberg will drive a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 in 2025 as he sets his sights on lifting the World Rally Championship second-tier title.

The son of 2003 world rally champion Petter will join the Printsport team that pipped him to the WRC2 title by three points this year, with Sami Pajari aboard the GR Yaris Rally2.

Solberg will take the seat vacated by Pajari following the Finn’s promotion to Toyota’s WRC Rally1 programme for 2025. It marks an end of Solberg’s two-year association with Toksport and Skoda, while also ending speculation linking the Swede to a Rally1 drive at M-Sport.

“Printsport is a very professional, successful team,” said Solberg. “I know many of the guys from the past, so it felt right to go with them. And, of course, we know all about the Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 – it’s incredible to think this car only came out for the first time 11 months ago.

“I will find out more about how the Yaris feels in stage mode when I drive it for the first time soon, but I think everybody appreciated the development work Toyota Gazoo Racing put in. I know it’s a fast car – I know how hard I was pushing to stay ahead of Jari-Matti [Latvala, TGR team principal] when he was driving one in Finland this year.

“Printsport has a good testing schedule through 2025 and, like always, I’m sure there will be some additional developments coming from Toyota Gazoo Racing. There’s a good plan to be as well prepared as possible.”

After scoring three wins (Sweden, Latvia, Finland and claiming more stages than his WRC2 rivals in 2024), the 23-year-old and co-driver Elliott Edmondson are determined to seal a maiden crown in 2025.

“The target for 2025 is definitely to push for the title,” he added. “I’m really proud of what we achieved this year and to miss out on the championship by three points definitely hurts.

“But, I’m only looking forward now. Like I said, I’m super-proud of what me and Elliott did and leaving Skoda was not an easy decision – I’m very grateful to everybody from Skoda Motorsport and the whole Toksport team for the last two years.”

Printsport is expected to reveal the livery of Solberg’s 2025 challenger next year, which will feature backing from the Swede’s long-term sponsors Monster Energy.