SOL BERG SOL BERG SOL BERG I WANT ANOTHER TITLE
Wrc legend aims for rally cross crown in ’18
PSRX Volkswagen Sweden team owner and driver Petter Solberg says he’s back to his best on the eve of the start of this year’s World Rallycross Championship.
The Norwegian took the first two WRX titles in 2014/15 before helping guide his team-mate Johan Kristoffersson to a recordbreaking, title-winning season in 2017. This time around, however, Solberg’s priority will be his own championship aspirations.
“Last year I focused a lot on the team and Johan,” Solberg told MN. “I wanted so much for him to win the championship and to go well in the season. The pre-season was so busy, it was unbelievable the work everybody in the team had to get through to pull everything together, but we did it.
“Before the first race, Johan, Pernilla [Solberg, team principal], the spotters, engineers and I sat down and went through the strategy. It worked so well and we all stuck to it. Of course I will work flat-out for the team again, but this time there has to be a little bit left for me. I want to come back as a driver this year and I really feel ready for that.”
The 43-year-old laughed off suggestions that he would turn the team to his own advantage.
Solberg said: “We don’t hide anything when it comes to the set-up. That’s not how this team works. Whoever is the fastest from us is the fastest – that’s the best way, the fairest way and, for me, it’s the only way to win.
“We make the strategy, so we don’t need [team orders]. The only thing I have to focus on is my driving. When we are [competing on track] together then it’s about respect and the one who is in the best position, take that position. Johan is smart, fast and a consistent driver and he’s a fair guy and we work well together. I want to win fair and square and be the best. I know my level, it’s good, I’m happy.”
Asked if he would be as hard on Kristoffersson as he would with any other driver, Solberg replied: “I will never be hard on anybody anyway. You have to put yourself in the best position to get the best possible outcome. I hope I do my job before I come to the final, so everything works well.”
Solberg missed out on second place to EKS Audi driver Mattias Ekstrom last season, but he feels that result doesn’t do his inaugural year in a Volkswagen Polo R Supercar justice.
“I had a lot of bad luck with the punctures and silly things that people maybe didn’t see,” he said. “There were races where I should have won, Belgium was one of these and Portugal was another. At the last race in South Africa I had pole, I was leading and I was fastest. Then I got the puncture – everybody hit that kerb, but I got that puncture.
“Everything worked for Johan