24-year-old Oliver Solberg and co-driver Elliott Edmondson, from the UK, threw themselves out of the car, climbed onto the roof and screamed with joy while holding each other.
Victory in Monte Carlo was assured.
And on top of that, it was a brilliant start to the World Rally Championship season.
"I can hardly understand what has happened. It was another emotional day... It is the most difficult rally I have ever completed in my entire life," Solberg said on TV4 Play.
"It's my first rally in this car, on asphalt, and we won everything. It's so emotional; it's been so demanding and stressful."
Celebrated with family
The victory interview is then interrupted by a happy celebration of hugs and kisses.
First came his father, Petter. He cheered, laughed and gave his son a big hug. Then his girlfriend, Chloe, took over the celebration and a moment later his mother Pernilla hugged Solberg.
Oliver Solberg, last year's world champion in the second-highest class and now in his first full season in the top class, was already seen as one of the favourites for the World Championship title before the premiere. He was the third-fastest driver on Saturday's special stage, which was partly on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, and was absolutely brilliant behind the wheel. When he finished the 17th stage with the second-best time, the victory was secured.
First blue-yellow victory in 55 years
It is the first time a blue-yellow driver has won in Monte Carlo since 1971.
Erik Carlsson won in 1962 and 1963, Björn Waldegård in 1969 and 1970, Ove Andersson in 1971.
Now Oliver Solberg is on the list, as the winner in 2026.
Briton Elfyn Evans was second, 51.8 seconds behind Solberg, and reigning world champion Sébastien Ogier was just over two minutes slower.
The Frenchman was happy about his 15th podium finish in 17 races, and happy about teammate Solberg's success.
"He has done better than anyone expected. Even when he won last year, in Estonia, he was very impressive. They've done a good job," said Ogier, who watched the finish of the race with Solberg's father.
"It's good for the championship, and I look forward to fighting him in the future."
Runner-up Evans:
"It's his first real rally. He's worked hard for this and is definitely deserving of the win."
The World Rally Championship will be held in Sweden in February.
Corrected version: In a previous version, the wrong sending company was stated.
Facts: Oliver Solberg
TT
Born: September 23, 2001 (age 24) in Fredrikstad, Norway.
Lives in Mitandersfors in Arvika municipality.
Parents: Father Petter Solberg, former rally and rallycross driver with one World Rally Championship title and two World Rallycross titles. Mother Pernilla Solberg (née Walfridsson), who won the Norwegian Rally Championship. Now works in the World Rally Championship (WRC).
Team: Toyota. Will drive as a points driver in WRC1 from 2026.
Co-driver: Elliott Edmondson, Great Britain, since 2022
Previous achievements: Debut in WRC2 in 2019. Took his first victory in the World Rally Championship in Wales the same year and also won the Latvian Rally Championship. Drove in WRC1 in 2020 for Hyundai. Took the WRC2 title in the World Rally Championship in 2025. Also won his first WRC1 rally last year, Rally Estonia.
Current: Became the first Swede since 1971 to win the Monte Carlo Rally.
