The other Solberg making waves behind the scenes in the WRC

If you spend just five minutes with the Solberg family, it’s virtually impossible not to get wrapped up in the unadulterated and infectious passion they exude for rallying.

Rallying is very much a family affair for the Solbergs. Petter made the surname a household one around the world when he and Phil Mills took the famous blue and yellow factory Subaru to the world title in 2003. His wife Pernilla, the daughter of Swedish rally great Per-Inge Walfridsson, was a rally driver of some repute competing on the world stage in 1990s, and now their son Oliver Solberg is one of the WRC’s bright young talents.

When it comes to rallying there is not much the Solbergs haven’t seen or experienced. With the WRC entering a period of transition, as it searches 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 nominated president, Pernilla Solberg.

“I wanted to be involved in motorsport more, but it would need to be in rallying,” Pernilla tells Motorsport.com. “You have no idea if you will be the candidate they choose and then I was told I would be the president of the commission and I was like ‘wow’. It is super exciting.

“I feel everybody in the service park, they want things to change whether it is something on an event or for the future, and I feel like I would really like to work on those things. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity and have a deeper purpose. It is really something I look forward to. It is exciting times, and a lot of things are happening.”

Pernilla couldn’t be more correct. There is indeed “a lot of things happening” as the FIA showcased to the world its vision for the future of the WRC. This action from the world motor sport governing body follows criticism of the championship’s perceived appeal from drivers, teams and fans last year. This roadmap aims to address the issues that range from declining entries in the top Rally1 class, attracting more manufacturers to the championship and revitalising event formats and their promotion.