Petter Solberg will test the Fiesta RS WRC in France on Thursday, with the objective to join the factory team in 2012.
Following Subaru’s withdrawal from WRC at the end of 2008, Solberg ran his own private team since 2009, but still hopes to be back in a factory car.
For now, after Mirko Hirvonen left Ford to join Citroen alongside Sebastien Loeb, only Jari-Matti Latvala has been confirmed by the Ford M-Sport team.
Several drivers are on the list to replace the Finn. The first one is Ott Tanak, a young Estonian driver, Marko Martin’s protégé, who already drove a factory Fiesta RS WRC in november in the Rallye du Var, last round of the French Rally Championship.
Mads Ostberg could also take the second seat, as the young driver from Norway set good performances in 2011 abord a Team Stobart’s Ford Fiesta. But, today Petter Solberg seems to have the best chances to take Hirvonen’s seat.
"What is strong with Petter is that he has massive experience, he's a quick driver and I think with him it could be good to fight for the manufacturers' championship," said Jari-Matti Latvala.
"On the other hand Ott is a young guy who would be good to grow for the future, like I got the chance to grow up as a young driver with Ford. So it's 50-50 but if you think about the manufacturers' championship more then Petter would be stronger in that sense."
Following Subaru’s withdrawal from WRC at the end of 2008, Solberg ran his own private team since 2009, but still hopes to be back in a factory car.
For now, after Mirko Hirvonen left Ford to join Citroen alongside Sebastien Loeb, only Jari-Matti Latvala has been confirmed by the Ford M-Sport team.
Several drivers are on the list to replace the Finn. The first one is Ott Tanak, a young Estonian driver, Marko Martin’s protégé, who already drove a factory Fiesta RS WRC in november in the Rallye du Var, last round of the French Rally Championship.
Mads Ostberg could also take the second seat, as the young driver from Norway set good performances in 2011 abord a Team Stobart’s Ford Fiesta. But, today Petter Solberg seems to have the best chances to take Hirvonen’s seat.
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| Ford Fiesta RS WRC. (Photo: WRC) |
"What is strong with Petter is that he has massive experience, he's a quick driver and I think with him it could be good to fight for the manufacturers' championship," said Jari-Matti Latvala.
"On the other hand Ott is a young guy who would be good to grow for the future, like I got the chance to grow up as a young driver with Ford. So it's 50-50 but if you think about the manufacturers' championship more then Petter would be stronger in that sense."