Solbergs dominate Race of Champions Nations Cup again 29.01.2023: • Solbergs steers Team Norway to successful Nations Cup defence • Oliver’s perfect day underpins brilliant family performance in Sweden • Congratulations to the Race of Champions o

•    Solbergs steers Team Norway to successful Nations Cup defence


•    Oliver’s perfect day underpins brilliant family performance in Sweden


•    Congratulations to the Race of Champions organisers for an outstanding event



•    Oliver: “Of course we want to win, but the biggest thing is to have fun. We did that!”
For the second year in succession, the Solbergs departed Race of Champions as big winners after dominating Saturday’s Nations Cup.
 


The father and son competed as Team Norway and progressed through the early rounds to meet an All Stars team comprising Thierry Neuville and Mick Schumacher. Victory for Oliver over his former team-mate Neuville sealed the deal in Pite Havsbad, northern Sweden.
 


“That was fantastic,” said Oliver. “I was trying to be consistent and just keep the car where I wanted it to be. Everything was going well, but you know it’s hard not to get a little bit nervous when you are racing these legends. Coming up against [Thierry] Neuville in the final was nice – we don’t get to race together too much. And, of course, winning was super-nice.”
 


Oliver’s unbeaten progress through Saturday was the talk of the event as he showed motorsport legends Sébastien Loeb, John Kristoffersson, Mattias Ekström and Neuville the way home to lay solid foundations for that second consecutive Nations Cup title.
 


Understandably, Petter was over the moon with back-to-back titles. And beating his old World Rally Championship rival Loeb.


 


“It’s so nice to race with Oliver,” said Petter. “It’s a very, very cool event and me and Oliver love to come here. To win Nations Cup for Team Norway is something really special. I was nervous this morning, honestly.
 


“It was nice to win against Séb [Loeb], but to be honest I’m not sure the fight was so fair – he arrived so late and didn’t have much time to test at all.
 


“When you are driving in a rally, it’s a little bit different – here you can feel all the time where you are against your rival on the track and, of course, you don’t want to let your team-mate or your country down! If I’d made a mistake, Oliver would not have let me to forget it!”
 


There were no mistakes. But come Sunday morning, there was no place to hide: it was Solberg versus Solberg. Father versus son.


 
Oliver marched on and confined pappa to an early exit from the Champion of Champions.


 


Sadly, his unbeaten run ended aboard a 1000bhp FC1-X he was driving for the very first time. Running slightly wide in a left-hander, the car touched the bank and compromised Oliver’s approach to the jump. He ran wide again and collected one of the advertising banners which wrapped itself around the studded right-front wheel.
 


The 21-year-old ended his RoC 2023 on a high with another victory against Neuville.
 


Reflecting on his FC1-X debut, Oliver said: “That was a real shame. Of course I am disappointed and a little bit frustrated. I had so little time to understand this amazing car, but that’s how it is. Yesterday was perfect and I was hoping for the same today, but these are the best drivers in the world for a reason!
 


“Like last year, I loved it. I absolutely love this event – definitely my favourite of the season. Congratulations to the organisers, they did a fantastic job. I ended the weekend like I started: with a win, so for that I’m happy.”
 


Petter echoed those thoughts, adding: “We come here to smile and to have a good time. The company is fantastic, the organisers and the fans are amazing. Winning yesterday was really nice, but it’s the Race of Champions that’s always the biggest winner.
 


“See you next year!”






 Sandra Evans- photos ROC