SOLBERG JUNIOR GETS A LESSON FROM MASTER LOEB
Nine-time world champion Sebastien Loeb has tipped Oliver Solberg as a star of the future after spending two days testing with him.
Petter Solberg’s 17-year-old son spent two days in a Peugeot 208 R2 with the 79-time world rally winner. Loeb and Solberg Jr took turns driving the car with the young Norwegian admitting he learned more than ever about asphalt rallying in his time with last month’s Rally of Spain winner.
“It was a little bit crazy,” said Solberg Jr. “He’s Sebastien Loeb! And he was showing me how to drive on Tarmac – it was very, very cool.”
Loeb had followed Solberg’s season and admitted he was impressed, particularly with the speed he showed to win Rallyx Nordic in a DS 3 Supercar.
“It helps him to be used to this kind of car,” said Loeb. “It helps to understand things like left-foot braking and how it works with this kind of power. But also, to drive some little cars in rallying is also good for experience.
“This was one of his first tests on Tarmac, he was very fast with a very good feeling – it’s nice to see and to work with somebody so young. For sure it’s hard to know what he will make at the end, but he was very fast.”
Solberg said Loeb made him think about driving on asphalt in a different way.
“I didn’t expect him to be able to explain what he does to me in the way he did,” said Solberg. “From when I started driving in the first morning to the last run on the second day, I could see some real progress – it was amazing!
“He showed me how to use the tyres and brakes in a way that keeps them cooler and makes them last longer. He was so clean with the car, never sliding and always keeping it completely balanced. We drove on two roads: one really bumpy and one more fast and flowing and in both places you could start to see how he can do what he does.
“I know my dad is good, but it was quite incredible to look across and see Sebastien Loeb looking back at me!”