EXCLUSIVE Petter Solberg Q&A

After eight WRC rallies in an 2005/2006 spec Citroen Xsara, Petter Solberg will be back in top class machinery on the forthcoming WRC rounds in Spain and GB, when he gets behind the wheel of a C4 WRC, similar to the one driven by five time champion, Sebastien Loeb.

Petter talked to wrc.com about the switch to the C4 and his expectations for the two rallies.

So far you've tested the C4 WRC in gravel specification only. What testing have you got planned before the rallies in Spain and Wales?
"We'll be doing two days before each rally. The details are being sorted out at the moment, so I can't tell you where or when just yet."

Still, you've chosen your car for a tarmac rally without having driven it on the surface. Is that a concern?
"No. I have decided that the Spain rally will be the place where I find out where I can be [again the opposition]. It will help us to see what might be possible for next year. The fact is that so far the C4 has proved to be the fastest rally car on tarmac."

Citroen Racing boss Olivier Quesnel is hoping you will stick with his team beyond the end of this season. When will you make up your mind about your plans for 2010?
"Everything beyond this year depends on me getting the sponsorship I need. At the moment a lot is up in the air - so nothing is decided."

How did [Ford team boss] Malcolm Wilson take the news that your had chosen the C4 over the Focus?
"My relationship with Malcolm remains very good. We had a long chat when he was in Australia and he was very professional and fair throughout. We are still in contact so it’s no problem."

Sebastien Loeb and Dani Sordo have taken first and second places in Spain for the past three years; could you have picked a more difficult rally to prove yourself on?
"Well, my view is you should never be scared about anything people say, you know? It's a bit like me taking the Xsara for this year. It was a 2005 car and everybody said I was crazy and could have risked my reputation. They said my speed wouldn’t be good enough but I proved them wrong. It doesn't really matter which rally you take, you always have to cope with some situations. For sure Spain will be a good challenge, but maybe I'll surprise."

So what do you think you're capable of in Spain?
"It’s hard to say. Spain will be a rally for me to find my speed, and I expect that to increase throughout the event. For sure it's very difficult to beat Sebastien on tarmac, but with this car I think I have the best chance to do well since 2004."

Now that you’re finally got hold of a better car, people are going to be expecting great things from you in Spain and GB. How much pressure are you feeling?
"No more than usual. All through this season with the Xsara the pressure has been on. It's been very important for me to perform. If I didn't, I didn’t get any sponsors. We're dealing with a different budget now, but apart from that there's no change."

After Spain comes Rally GB - an event you've won three times before. Can you do it again?
"I will be there fighting in the top, I hope. Like I say, I don't think I've had a better chance at any time since 2004. If I can be in front of most guys in Finland in a Xsara, then what do you think I can do in this car if everything is okay?"