Skoda steps back to focus on customers
Skoda will sit out next year’s World Rally Championship as a factory team, focusing its efforts on helping younger drivers – including Oliver
Solberg – instead.
Solberg has confirmed a step up to the World Rally Championship is his intention for 2020, but precise details of those plans have yet to be finalised. The 18-year-old has entered the season-opener in Monte Carlo in his own Volkswagen Polo R5, but his plans beyond round one are unconfirmed.
Skoda, however, confirmed it will work on the development of the Fabia R5 through 2020. That decision was made more straightforward by the departure of Kalle Rovanpera, who will drive for Toyota Gazoo Racing next season. Skoda’s other works driver Jan Kopecky will drive for the Czech national importer in his home series with factory support.
While Skoda would not comment on a possible Solberg deal, sources have confirmed it is ready to work closely with the son of 2003 World Rally champion Petter Solberg through his rookie WRC season.
Speaking after a season which included a harvest of 23 national and five FIA titles, team principal Michal Hrabanek said:
“The challenge for next year is different. We will not have the proper works team in the World Rally Championship, but we will support the customers. We have sold more than 300 cars and this number of cars brings a huge commitment and we wouldn’t like to disappoint our customers.
“After one of our most successful years in the WRC, there is no reason to come back again and show the car is reliable and competitive again – we know the team is capable to win. Now it’s the [private] teams’ chance to win the championship with our support.
“But we are not stepping back, we stay in the championship and look for some improvements with Fabia R5 – they will be coming. Don’t worry, Skoda is not leaving motorsport.”
Asked about possible links to Skoda, Solberg said: “I don’t know anything yet. I know there are some people talking about some things and some things are certainly possible, but for now there are no plans after Monte Carlo.”
Talking about his debut in the French Alps, he added: “Experience of that event is so, so important. Every year the Monte is different and the roads are changing from this minute to the next minute. I need to make this one sensible, really steady – to get to the finish.”