THE SOLBERG HELPING TO FORGE THE WRC'S FUTURE
It’s a name that’s synonymous with rallying – and now one member of this famous family, Pernilla Solberg, is set to play a key role in revitalising the sport
TOM HOWARD
WRC
pend just five minutes with the Solberg family, and it’s almost impossible not to get caught up in their unadulterated and infectious passion for rallying. It’s very much a family affair for the Solbergs – Petter made the surname internationally renowned when he and Phil Mills took the famous blue-and-yellow factory Subaru to the world title in 2003. His wife Pernilla, daughter of Swedish rally great Per-Inge Walfridsson, was a rally driver of some repute competing on the world stage in 1990s, and their son Oliver is one of the World Rally Championship’s bright young talents.
There’s not much the Solbergs haven’t seen or experienced in rallying. And as the WRC enters a period of transition, searching for a formula that can inspire a return to the championship’s golden era, passionate and knowledgeable people are required to steer it in the right direction. Last month the FIA revealed its roadmap for the future, which included widespread reforms to technical and sporting regulations and its promotion. The announcement also featured a significant change to the FIA World Rally Championship Commission, the organisation that plays a role in enacting change. Step forward the new president, Pernilla Solberg.
“I wanted to be involved in motorsport more, but it would need to be in rallying,” explains Solberg. “You have no idea if you will be the candidate they choose, and when I was told I’d be the president of the commission, I was like ‘wow’. It is super-exciting.
“I feel everybody in the service park, they want things to change whether it’s something on an event or for the future, and I would really like to work on those things. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity. It’s really something I look forward to. It’s exciting times, and a lot of things are happening.”
Solberg couldn’t be more correct. There are indeed “a lot of things happening”, with the FIA showcasing its vision for the future of the WRC. This move by world motorsport’s governing body follows criticism of the championship’s perceived appeal from drivers, teams and fans last year. This roadmap aims to address issues including declining entries in the top Rally1 class, attracting more manufacturers to the cham
