Solberg travels to Japan for Subaru talks

Ex Subaru World Rally Team driver Petter Solberg is continuing his efforts to find a drive for the 2009 WRC season and has even travelled to Japan for talks with the president of Subaru’s parent company.

Speaking exclusively to wrc.com Petter revealed that he and co-driver Phil Mills flew to Tokyo on Friday to pay their respects to Subaru staff and meet with Ikuo Mori, President and CEO of Fuji Heavy Industries.

“We went to meet everybody at the factory and talk about the situation,” said Petter. “We had a one and a half hour meeting with President Mori and other meetings with top management. We wanted to go in person, and do things in a professional way. We have had a lot of good years with them.”

But despite the two day trip, the 2003 World Rally Champion admitted he still had nothing confirmed for the upcoming season. “I can assure you I’m working very hard, but that’s it. I don’t want to talk any more about next year. For now I want to keep things simple,” he said.

However, via a message posted on his website at the weekend Petter accepted that, due to time pressures, it was unlikely he would take part in the first event of the year - Rally Ireland. “But I’m not panicking for next year, I want everything to be right before I decide on what to do,” he wrote.

Petter asked wrc.com to pass on a message to Subaru WRC supporters and his team-mates at Prodrive.

“I feel sorry about the situation for everybody, for all the Subaru fans and especially the guys at Prodrive - all the mechanics,” he said. “It’s a hard time but I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. I’m thinking about you all and I will visit Prodrive soon in the New Year to meet everybody in person. I’m keeping positive. That’s the most important thing. We never know what’s going to happen. I still believe that anything is possible.”