As the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) gears up for its season climax at the FORUM8 Rally Japan from November 21 to 24, all eyes are on the WRC2 title race, where the absence of overall leader Oliver Solberg leaves the door open for dramatic shifts. The 23-year-old Škoda driver, having reached his limit of points-scoring rounds for the season, will not compete, leaving his championship fate to be determined by his rivals on the track.
Despite a successful season boasting three victories and multiple podium finishes alongside British co-driver Elliott Edmondson, Solberg will be a spectator during the 13th and final rally of the season. “I’m a bit sad about not participating; I love Japan and its passion for rallying. Nonetheless, I’m thrilled with what we’ve achieved this season,” Solberg remarked, expressing gratitude for the team’s efforts throughout the year.
Sami Pajari, currently third in the WRC2 standings and the only remaining contender who can challenge Solberg’s lead, will need either a victory or a second-place finish at Rally Japan to snatch the title. A win awards 25 points, while second place gives 18, positioning Pajari just within reach of overtaking Solberg. However, a third-place finish, yielding 15 points, would leave him tied with Solberg, who would then clinch the title based on more second-place finishes.
The competition is intense, with Solberg’s teammate Gus Greensmith and the Polish Škoda duo Kajetan Kajetanowicz and Maciej Szczepaniak also aiming for podiums, adding layers of complexity to Pajari’s challenge.
The Rally Japan will cover over 302 kilometers across 21 special stages, featuring narrow winding tarmac roads that will test the drivers’ skills to their limits. The event kicks off with a spectacular stadium show stage in Nagoya, a major highlight before the grueling rally days ahead.
Rally Japan holds a special place in the WRC’s heart, having been part of the championship on gravel tracks from 2004 to 2010, and its return to the calendar has been much anticipated after cancellations in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
As the rally progresses, the strategies and performances of Pajari, Greensmith, and other contenders will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike, making this finale a potentially historic event in the annals of the World Rally Championship.
