Johnston out of rally after test anomaly

A CORONAVIRUS conundrum has forced Ulster co-driver Aaron Johnston to miss this weekend’s Arctic Rally Finland, the second round of the World Championship.

Johnston was due to continue his regular partnership with rising Norwegian star Oliver Solberg for their first appearance in a full WRC Hyundai i20 Coupe but must stand down after one of three Covid tests proved positive.

The 26-year-old from Fintona, Co Tyrone explained: “I did a Covid test before leaving home, which was negative. I did the mandatory Covid test upon arrival in Finland on Sunday, which produced a positive result.

“However, the lab did not provide me with any evidence of this, bar a phone call. I did another test on Monday, which returned a negative result.

“I am currently awaiting results of a fourth test but, under FIA protocol, I am now self-isolating and won’t be allowed to start due to this anomaly.”

He has been replaced alongside Solberg by Kris Meeke’s regular co-driver Seb Marshall.

Johnston and 19-year-old Solberg, the son of former world champion Petter Solberg, have been a team for the past three years and have made rapid progress up the rally ranks, culminating with a Hyundai contract.

Solberg said: “I am here in Finland for the experience of driving the Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC and of course I wanted Aaron with me, but this is the world we’re living in with this pandemic right now. I’m sorry for him but very thankful to Seb for flying out to do the event with me.”

The Lapland-based snow event replaces Rally Sweden which was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. It starts on Friday.