Oliver Solberg has issued a public apology to the Swedish people after a crash ended his bid for the World Rally Championship title in his debut season, Expressen reports. The crash came when the title was within reach, according to Aftonbladet, which described the incident as happening just metres from championship glory. Solberg's message of regret was directed at the whole of Sweden, Expressen reported. Speaking about the setback, Solberg said he was sorry to the Swedish public, according to SVT. The outcome leaves Solberg second in the 2026 WRC standings, Emotorsport reports. Toyota Gazoo Racing took the manufacturers' championship, while Solberg finished as runner-up in what was his first season at the top level of the sport. One Swedish profile, quoted by Expressen, described Solberg's season as a feat despite the disappointment of missing out on the title. Solberg's apology reflects the weight of expectation surrounding a Swedish driver competing at the front of the world championship, and the manner of the defeat — a crash rather than a gradual loss of pace — shaped how the result was received in Sweden. The final classification confirms Toyota's title success and Solberg's second place, closing a debut campaign that came down to a single costly moment. Attention now turns to how Solberg and his team respond in the next WRC season, and whether the near-miss becomes a foundation for a stronger title challenge.