Petter Solberg to test for Ford
Discussion
Petter Solberg will test a Ford Fiesta RS WRC for the first time on Thursday with a view to joining the team as its second driver in 2012.
Solberg outlined his plans to AUTOSPORT during Rally GB last month and the details of the test were further discussed with Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson in London just prior to the AUTOSPORT Awards last week.
Solberg hasn't driven for Wilson's factory squad since 2000, when he departed the Cumbrian-based team mid-season for Subaru.
A source within Ford said: "Petter is still a very fast driver and a driver capable of becoming a world champion again. The test makes a lot of sense for us all, it'll be good to see him back in one of our cars again and interesting to see what he can do. Beyond that, nothing much more has been discussed."
Providing the test goes to plan, the details of Solberg's return to the Ford team will be discussed over the weekend.
Solberg was unavailable for comment on the test, but talking about a potential Ford return last month, he said: "I think Jari-Matti [Latvala] and I could make a very strong team, a really strong team for next year.
"There's no doubt that Jari has the potential to be a world champion and I want to help do what I can for the team. I have been the privateer for three years and now I really want to go back to the factory car. I know what I am capable of still and it would be fantastic to go back with Malcolm again."
Solberg scotched rumours that he and his brother Henning might form a two-car Ford team.
"This is not going to happen," he said. "For next year, I need to have the factory car, to be part of the factory team. I won't be in the team with Henning."
Despite his switch to a private team, Solberg remains one of the world's fastest rally drivers. He had been in contact with Volkswagen, but the German firm signed Sebastien Ogier instead.
Latvala is testing the Fiesta this week, but his seat time ended prematurely yesterday when he slid off the road. The car was undamaged.
Solberg and the Ford team will test close to the base for next year's season opener, the Monte Carlo Rally, in Valence.
An announcement is scheduled for Monday next week ' the closing date for manufacturer entries to the World Rally Championship.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96731
I think it's about time Petter got a factory drive, some of his performances have been fantastic - I think he could rival Loeb in a factory team.
Solberg outlined his plans to AUTOSPORT during Rally GB last month and the details of the test were further discussed with Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson in London just prior to the AUTOSPORT Awards last week.
Solberg hasn't driven for Wilson's factory squad since 2000, when he departed the Cumbrian-based team mid-season for Subaru.
A source within Ford said: "Petter is still a very fast driver and a driver capable of becoming a world champion again. The test makes a lot of sense for us all, it'll be good to see him back in one of our cars again and interesting to see what he can do. Beyond that, nothing much more has been discussed."
Providing the test goes to plan, the details of Solberg's return to the Ford team will be discussed over the weekend.
Solberg was unavailable for comment on the test, but talking about a potential Ford return last month, he said: "I think Jari-Matti [Latvala] and I could make a very strong team, a really strong team for next year.
"There's no doubt that Jari has the potential to be a world champion and I want to help do what I can for the team. I have been the privateer for three years and now I really want to go back to the factory car. I know what I am capable of still and it would be fantastic to go back with Malcolm again."
Solberg scotched rumours that he and his brother Henning might form a two-car Ford team.
"This is not going to happen," he said. "For next year, I need to have the factory car, to be part of the factory team. I won't be in the team with Henning."
Despite his switch to a private team, Solberg remains one of the world's fastest rally drivers. He had been in contact with Volkswagen, but the German firm signed Sebastien Ogier instead.
Latvala is testing the Fiesta this week, but his seat time ended prematurely yesterday when he slid off the road. The car was undamaged.
Solberg and the Ford team will test close to the base for next year's season opener, the Monte Carlo Rally, in Valence.
An announcement is scheduled for Monday next week ' the closing date for manufacturer entries to the World Rally Championship.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96731
I think it's about time Petter got a factory drive, some of his performances have been fantastic - I think he could rival Loeb in a factory team.
philis said:
What will happen to Hirvonen?
He replaced Ogier at Citroen a few weeks back.http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96263
t" crowd turns up to ruin it.Let's hope it's true, and maybe Ford will eventually sign up. Not sure it will make much difference to the real competitiveness of the Fiesta though - as Ford put very little financial backing to M-Sport.....which means they're likely to fall behind Citroen in the development stakes.
However, the WRC needs some good news.....let's hope thisi is the start.
However, the WRC needs some good news.....let's hope thisi is the start.
this would be a dream! Petter deserves any chance he gets for a factory seat this year, giving consistent results as a privateer in an uncompetetive Citroen, even against the 2nd rate M-Sport stobart drivers.
tho there are mixed messages about the posibility of a Solberg bros WRC team next year.
the WRC needs the Solbergs and Ford to keep any chance of becoming close to the once great Motorsport it was.
tho there are mixed messages about the posibility of a Solberg bros WRC team next year.
the WRC needs the Solbergs and Ford to keep any chance of becoming close to the once great Motorsport it was.
budgie smuggler said:
On a related note, does anybody know which channel the WRC is being shown on in 2012?
Hopefully it's not that dreadful Motors TV, with the commentator who only knows how to shout! I read somewhere it may have been Channel 5, but thats fell thorough - would be good to see it back on Terrestrial TV!
Jerry Can said:
i guess it is only me that is thinking... 'Petter Solberg, you've had your chance now let someone else have a go'.
Mads Ostberg..........?
Yes it is only you. Marcus Gronholm was still fast when he came back for a jolly a couple of years ago, so was Colin McRae when he did the same thing.Mads Ostberg..........?
Petter Solberg joins Ford for 2012 World Rally Championship.
Petter Solberg will drive for Ford in next year's World Rally Championship, following a test for the manufacturer this week.
The 37-year-old Norwegian, who won the 2003 world title with Subaru, has run his own team for the past two seasons, competing in Citroen machinery during that time.
His one-year deal to replace Citroen-bound Mikko Hirvonen as Jari-Matti Latvala's team-mate means that he will drive Ford machinery in the WRC for the first time since Rally Finland in 2000. He will be co-driven by Chris Patterson.
Ford of Europe's senior manager for motorsport, Gerard Quinn, said: "The addition of Petter Solberg to the team brings one of the sport's most experienced and flamboyant drivers back to the team where he started his top-level career.
"A drivers' world title and 13 world rally victories are testament to his abilities and his vast experience will be a great asset to our line-up."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96752
Superb news and it's about time Petter was in factory machinery again.
Petter Solberg - 2012 World Rally Champion?...
.
Petter Solberg will drive for Ford in next year's World Rally Championship, following a test for the manufacturer this week.
The 37-year-old Norwegian, who won the 2003 world title with Subaru, has run his own team for the past two seasons, competing in Citroen machinery during that time.
His one-year deal to replace Citroen-bound Mikko Hirvonen as Jari-Matti Latvala's team-mate means that he will drive Ford machinery in the WRC for the first time since Rally Finland in 2000. He will be co-driven by Chris Patterson.
Ford of Europe's senior manager for motorsport, Gerard Quinn, said: "The addition of Petter Solberg to the team brings one of the sport's most experienced and flamboyant drivers back to the team where he started his top-level career.
"A drivers' world title and 13 world rally victories are testament to his abilities and his vast experience will be a great asset to our line-up."
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96752
Superb news and it's about time Petter was in factory machinery again.
Petter Solberg - 2012 World Rally Champion?...
.
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