Solberg came as the trailing car and was probably distracted by the chaotic situation around Rovanperä’s car and made a fatal mistake 100 meters later.
The drivers and map readers appeared unharmed at the scene of the drama. They were both able to get out of the car on their own, and Solberg was heard to shout a frustrated “fa-an!” at the same time as he took off his seat belt and got out of the car.
World Rally Championship
Good start to the WC rally for Oliver Solberg in Portugal
Kalle Rovanperä won the safari rally – Oliver Solberg second in the WRC2 class
“Unfortunately, we are out for today. After seeing Kalle on the side of the road, I got distracted and rolled around the following curve. Elliott (Edmondson, Solberg’s map reader) and I are both okay,” writes Solberg on Instagram.
The rally is underway and the finish will be Sunday afternoon.
SVT then broadcasts an hour of the best from the rally starting at 6 p.m. in SVT2/Play.