The Swede was 13 seconds slower than World Cup leader Kalle Rovanperä, Finland, fastest on the 5.4 km long distance.
- I have not driven the car in two months and never tried it on gravel.
It was very unusual, we have a lot to do on the car but I think it will be okay, he says.
The 20-year-old shares the third car in Hyundai's factory stable with Spanish veteran Dani Sordo, who has taken two straight third places in the World Cup series.
Solberg has put himself in a difficult position after two broken rallies and a sixth place in the Swedish Rally.
Now Oliver and map reader Elliott Edmondson must finish the car in the classic rally that returned to the World Cup calendar last year.
That time, Oliver was forced to break after rolling the car and breaking the safety cage.
The press is on Solberg who will cover behind the team's star drivers Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville.
The question is whether Oliver can take revenge in the brutally demanding rally and pick up the important points for the team in the World Cup?