Elliott Edmondson has added his name to the long and distinguished list of British co-drivers to have won a round of the FIA World Rally Championship. That list now numbers 16, and is topped by World Champions Derek Ringer, Robert Reid, Phil Mills, and David Richards CBE, who currently serves as Chair of Motorsport UK.

Teaming up with Oliver Solberg, the 30-year-old Edmondson sensationally claimed victory at last weekend’s Rally Estonia. It was a dream debut after a late call-up to join the Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team.

Despite having very limited experience in the GR Yaris Rally1, the pair stunned the rally world by leading almost from the outset and securing an incredible maiden win on what was intended to be a one-off entry.

“It means everything,” said the delighted Englishman. “The result is absolutely fantastic, but our priority this weekend was to learn the car and enjoy ourselves – and we absolutely achieved that. The win is a complete bonus. The feeling is absolutely incredible. It’s going to take some time to sink in.”

Edmondson was immersed in the rally scene from a very early age and began competing at just 15. He started out in road rallying and endurance events before transitioning to stage rallying in 2010.

He made his WRC debut at Wales Rally GB in 2013 and, that same year, was selected for the Motorsport UK Academy, where he received coaching from legendary co-driver Nicky Grist – another of Britain’s WRC-winning co-drivers.

After stints alongside drivers such as Gus Greensmith, Chris Ingram, and Rhys Yates, Edmondson teamed up with Solberg – son of 2003 World Champion Petter Solberg – at the start of the 2022 season. The pair had a brief WRC1 outing with Hyundai that year, finishing fourth in Belgium. Since then, they had been focusing on the second-tier WRC2 series before receiving the call-up from Toyota to compete in Estonia.

“After so many years of dreaming and working for this moment, Elliott and I finally made it,” said Solberg, who is following in the wheel tracks of his world champion father. “I want to say a big thank you to Toyota for giving us this opportunity – the chance to prove ourselves and have fun driving this amazing car. It’s been the most amazing weekend.”

Solberg and Edmondson will now step down from the top-tier podium and return to defending their lead in the WRC2 Championship, with the next round set for Finland at the end of this month.