Oliver Solberg has declared himself ready for the 2024 Rally Paraguay after swelling his back during a heavy landing in the final stage of Rally Finland.
Wound Up by a Heavy Landing at Finland
The Swedish Toyota driver was badly bruised after a substantial drop from a jump on the last day of the Group Rally Finland. He had to be hauled from the cockpit, yet still managed to cross the finish line in second place, saving his second-place slide on the Power Stage. Solberg told Motorsport.com that the pain was intense and that no media duties followed the rally because of his recovery status.
While there was no studio coverage for him, his team guardians carried him out of the car. The injury prompted him to wear an abdominal strap for protection, and reports confirm there is no pain while he is secured. He uses the strap as a safety precaution before the Paraguay event at the end of the WRC calendar.
Recovery and Back‑Up Plans Before Paraguay
Solberg recovered from the injury in time for physiotherapy sessions that targeted the back muscles and the soft tissue around the spine. Despite the friction and swelling, the driver is clocking a formidable recovery and expressed confidence that the move‑able shock will account for the event’s challenges. He no longer has energy reserves for rehearsals, but remains seated in the seat of the Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, prepared for a top‑tier rally run.
His earlier triumph in the inaugural WRC2 Paraguay of 2023, where he clinched the championship, served as a reference point for his expectations at the 2024 event – a vehicle that is far more aerodynamically balanced and requires a different tuning approach.
Paraguay Rally: Conditions, Tactics and Uncertainty
The rally is slated to start under dry conditions before a heavy downpour sets in on Saturday and Sunday. The resulting gravel surface will become treacherous, and the event features fast roads that test the car’s aerodynamic package. Solberg notes that the gravel is particularly hard and rough, demanding care in tyre selection and handling precision.
He points out that the current set of tyres, compared with last year, “are more sensitive to punctures.” Should the rain intensify the gravel, the driver acknowledges the need for luck in keeping the rover intact. “It is a survival type of rally, and luck in the tyres will be critical,” he said. So, while Solberg concentrates on ensuring his plantar stress is controlled, the team is also working on a tyre strategy that accounts for the weather‐linked rough terrain.
With a strong will, an injury fight‐back, and a decisive plan for the Paraguayan stage, Oliver Solberg is determined to convert his back‑up into a podium finish, confident that the moment he steps onto the gravel will bring a striking demonstration of resilience.
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