Moncet: We want to keep Solberg away from pressure

The 20-year-old Swede has endured an indifferent start to the season, only completing the entire route of one of the three rounds run so far. After struggling with fumes in the car at Rallye Monte-Carlo, he then crashed out of last month’s Croatia Rally.

Solberg is sharing the third Hyundai i20 N Rally1 with Dani Sordo this season and will sit out the next two events – Rally Portugal and Rally Italia – in favour of the Spaniard.

Moncet admitted patience then pace were the priorities for Solberg.

“We want Oliver to take the experience,” said Moncet. “This is why we have him using the Rally2 car in Portugal. The target is always to give our drivers the maximum mileage and this is especially important for Oliver.

“It was unfortunate what happened in Croatia, but it’s part of the learning [process]. We try to keep him away from the pressure and then maybe later in the season we can have some more expectations – maybe in events like Estonia and Finland where he has some more experience. This is where he can show some more pace.”

Experience isn’t a problem for Solberg in Estonia – it’s where the son of 2003 world champion Petter cut his teeth in the junior ranks. This year will be his fifth start at the Tartu-based Rally Estonia.