Silly Season 2026

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Originally Posted by Fast Eddie WRC

It's a bit strong to extrapolate a WDC from one (amazing) win in Estonia.

Of course Solberg is much better, but it's a bit like all the hype about Sesks after his first Rally1 drives.

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Don´t agree. Which driver did you see have done like Oliver did, before? I´ve been in this game for more than five decades, so you must remind me.

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Originally Posted by Rallyper

Don´t agree. Which driver did you see have done like Oliver did, before? I´ve been in this game for more than five decades, so you must remind me.

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It was special for sure, but if we’re being completely honest…

Oliver Solberg: won his first WRC event on his 13th start with a WRC car
Esapekka Lappi: 4th outing
Sébastien Loeb: 10th outing
Juha Kankkunen: 8th outing

I don’t know the older history so from older times I don't know.

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Originally Posted by flat_right

It was special for sure, but if we’re being completely honest…

Oliver Solberg: won his first WRC event on his 13th start with a WRC car
Esapekka Lappi: 4th outing
Sébastien Loeb: 10th outing
Juha Kankkunen: 8th outing

I don’t know the older history so from older times I don't know.

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All of those also drove, but never won, in a Hyundai. Just saying.

I think Per has Swedish glasses on saying he can beat Ogier in every event next season, but agree he is a potential future champion. In fact, it was me and Per getting grief here for saying we'd pick him for Rally1 where budget was not an issue. I suppose everybody dishing that grief will credit stepping back to WRC2 helped him win Estonia.

The Accent was never a realistic challenger for a rally win and Juha was well past his prime in 2002.

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Originally Posted by WRCStan

All of those also drove, but never won, in a Hyundai. Just saying.

I think Per has Swedish glasses on saying he can beat Ogier in every event next season, but agree he is a potential future champion. In fact, it was me and Per getting grief here for saying we'd pick him for Rally1 where budget was not an issue. I suppose everybody dishing that grief will credit stepping back to WRC2 helped him win Estonia.

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WRC is all about experience. I really don’t think that if Oliver had joined Toyota in 2021, he would have won in fewer starts than he actually did. Kalle won in his 14th start, and I consider him slightly more talented than Oliver.

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Originally Posted by flat_right

I really don’t think that if Oliver had joined Toyota in 2021, he would have won in fewer starts than he actually did.

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Me neither, I don't think necessarily if he was driving for Toyota manufacturers in Estonia he would have won. It's all pointless comparisons.

So any news about Ogier? will he compete in the last 3 event?

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Originally Posted by 1988senna

So any news about Ogier? will he compete in the last 3 event?

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Yes, Yes. He said it already after Finland, that he is going for title and will compete in all remaining events. Except maybe if there are no chance after Japan, then in that case he wil not do Saudi probably.

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Originally Posted by WRCStan

All of those also drove, but never won, in a Hyundai. Just saying.

I think Per has Swedish glasses on saying he can beat Ogier in every event next season, but agree he is a potential future champion. In fact, it was me and Per getting grief here for saying we'd pick him for Rally1 where budget was not an issue. I suppose everybody dishing that grief will credit stepping back to WRC2 helped him win Estonia.

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Well, that was a statement built on wrong memory, but with or without Swedish glasses, he will be a big challenge for any of the top drivers, even Ogier.