Petter Solberg WRT

[tfp]

Options are narrowing down: It is Ford or nothing !
http://www.norsk-rally.com/components/com_agora/img/members/936/mini_Petter-i-2012.jpeg

He must have got fed up with Quesnel :D

[Mirek]

Or it's just too expensive option.

[Andre Oliveira]

http://d3j5vwomefv46c.cloudfront.net/photos/full/466453316.jpg?Expires=1323287123&Key-Pair-Id=APKAIYVGSUJFNRFZBBTA&Signature=wHdXuunkih1r5q3npkBNvBbjXMKMzLS%7E131dbC zJcANNja08h3C1ryUfqnigfS2w1YVXa0d28j5zDv4jeXJ4SFYI h9x%7EsoBlWhDfT%7EPJ6yDj2Ni07tP8oexbUspPQ-%7Erq7BQcUBSArhCLDcubAwHJF1Z44m73vkJ3lz7W8xPdOg_
Bigger photo

[N.O.T]

If Mr. Wilson rejects solberg and his son gets a drive for 2012 the question should be...

" as a team manager wouldn't be more beneficial for the whole team to have Solberg as No1-2 in the official team using his sons budget?? "

A latvala Solberg team i think can be on par with Loeb/Hirvonen one, at least it will not be far worse than last years latvala/hirvonen lineup.

[MJW]

Opening paragraph says - "Petter Solberg says he will quit WRC if he can't secure a works drive with Ford for next season. the 2003 champion has been forced to run in a private Citroen for the last 3 years but has struggled to compete with the factory outfits. Solberg says he wont run his own team next year. He told Motorsport News Ford is my only chance to continue in the sport. I don't want to do a privateer team any more" The article goes on to say Petter said there is no chance to do a team with my brother, its only a factory team - or nothing. However, later on in the story Ken Rees seemed to think a Petter and Henning Norwegian team could happen. That's a brief summary of the front page and page 2 and 3 of Motorsport News.

[mousti]

I thought he already confirmed that Citroën is out for next year for him. And seems VW negotiatons if they ever existed went nowhere than.

[Bobcat]

Or it's just too expensive option.

Do you mean his frustrating campaign behind the wheel of the privateer (little illegal) Citroen car?

[N.O.T]

I thought he already confirmed that Citroën is out for next year for him. And seems VW negotiatons if they ever existed went nowhere than.

personally i think they only existed as a privateer once more....

[Koppomsbo]

He must have got fed up with Quesnel :D

Or maybe the other way round

[TyPat107]

I'd say Things don't look good for Solberg at Ford/M-Sport factory. In an interview today Jari-matti said that he will be the number 1 driver and most likely his team mate doesn't have much experience. Its like 2 min into the interview.

Here: Jari-Matti Latvala on Ford, his Future & Holiday Shopping (http://www.bybillwood.com/online/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2630:jari-matti-latvala-on-ford-his-future-a-holiday-shopping&catid=54:ths-radio&Itemid=106)

[noel157]

So Tanak No 2?

[Mirek]

Do you mean his frustrating campaign behind the wheel of the privateer (little illegal) Citroen car?

I mean exactly what I wrote.

[noel157]

Do you mean his frustrating campaign behind the wheel of the privateer (little illegal) Citroen car?

So what was illegal about the car?

[bassist]

I'd say Things don't look good for Solberg at Ford/M-Sport factory. In an interview today Jari-matti said that he will be the number 1 driver and most likely his team mate doesn't have much experience. Its like 2 min into the interview.

Here: Jari-Matti Latvala on Ford, his Future & Holiday Shopping (http://www.bybillwood.com/online/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2630:jari-matti-latvala-on-ford-his-future-a-holiday-shopping&catid=54:ths-radio&Itemid=106)

Interesting interview. I think WRC without Petter would be less exciting.

[Brother John]

So what was illegal about the car?

Of course it is the Citröen. :D

[Mintexmemory]

So Tanak No 2?

http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/131565-petter-solberg-wrt-111.html#post988947

As I said before, JML has a contract and having Petter as No2 will not figure in the agreement, it never could.

[Allyc85]

Petter has told Motorsport News that it is a Ford drive or nothing for him next year and that he will not be a privateer.

I so hope we dont lose him from the championship :(

[tolis]

Here you can download the latest issue of Motorsport News in order to read Solberg's interview: MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=YGLZIKQT)

[N.O.T]

I think it is illegal to post such links if the magazine is not free to read on the web...if it is then thank you. But otherwise the forum might have legal problems with copyright stuff.

[Zeakiwi]

Is Petter Solberg's Pikes Peak C4 eligible for European Rallycross or will Petter have to borrow a rallycross Ford Fiesta ?

[MJW]

Is Petter Solberg's Pikes Peak C4 eligible for European Rallycross or will Petter have to borrow a rallycross Ford Fiesta ?
IF,( and its by far not certain that Petter isnt in wrc) and he goes to to rallyx, I bet it will be a top spec car.

[SubaruNorway]

Maybe it's nothing, but Ken Rees just posted a pic on FB of Petter's press manager Tone with a Mini engineer saying "Employed today"

[tfp]

Maybe it's nothing, but Ken Rees just posted a pic on FB of Petter's press manager Tone with a Mini engineer saying "Employed today"

Petter in a mini??

[Zeakiwi]

Does DR want to keep Petter in the WRC ?

[TyPat107]

Does DR want to keep Petter in the WRC ?

Does DR think BMW will kick in some money if Petter increases Mini sales in Norway?

[Plan9]

I'd be surprised if this was the case. Petter has burned his bridges with Dave, maybe worse than with Malcolm. Hopefully Petter's work ethic will save his arse like it did in 2009.

[Barreis]

DR only wants money. In 2004 he could have C.McRae and he chose Hirvonen instead.

[AndyRAC]

DR only wants money. In 2004 he could have C.McRae and he chose Hirvonen instead.

I'm sure that wasn't entirely the case - wasn't it Joukhi went direct to Subaru, rather than Prodrive...???

[MJW]

I'm sure that wasn't entirely the case - wasn't it Joukhi went direct to Subaru, rather than Prodrive...???
Yes it was that way, and some have said it was the beginning of the lack of trust between Prodrive and Subaru that spiralled into the downturn in relationship between the two parties. DR had to put on his best lying face when welcoming Mikko as it was Colin he really wanted.

[tfp]

I'd be surprised if this was the case. Petter has burned his bridges with Dave, maybe worse than with Malcolm. Hopefully Petter's work ethic will save his arse like it did in 2009.

What hapenned exactly? I wonder if DR and Ken rees are friends or enemys?

[Barreis]

That was the start of disaster for sport.

[Tomi]

I'm sure that wasn't entirely the case - wasn't it Joukhi went direct to Subaru, rather than Prodrive...???

Prodrive wanted colin but did not have the money to pay his salary and also Subaru was not willing to pay what he asked, so their negotiations was in a dead end, time was running out then Jouhki made the deal directly with Subaru, thats what did happen in short.

[Plan9]

What hapenned exactly? I wonder if DR and Ken rees are friends or enemys?

Well in a nutshell- in 2009 after Subaru left an article in a NZ publication stated that there had been "acrimony" between Petter and DR as Petter had criticised the cars that were being developed at the time and the fact that he had not had a win in 2 years or so. From what I understand DR was doing the best he could with the dwindling money the Japan was providing and did not take well to Petter's comments.

Also, Petter's choice of car for the 2009 season was apparently taken the wrong way by DR.

If I can find the article I will let you know.

[Plan9]

What does Joukhi mean?

Also it is interesting in the 2009 Pirelli World of Rallying book there is a piece written by Kris M about the 2009 IRC successes and in it he states he was asked to test the 2008 Impreza but refused as he thought it was a rubbish. So maybe some of Petter's choices regarding cars have not been as short sighted as some think.

[N.O.T]

joukhi is this guy

Google œµÄ¬ÆÁ±Ã· (http://translate.google.gr/translate?sl=fi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=el&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffi.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTimo_Jouh ki)

some very interesting things on 2nd and 3rd paragraph.

[noel157]

What does Joukhi mean?

Also it is interesting in the 2009 Pirelli World of Rallying book there is a piece written by Kris M about the 2009 IRC successes and in it he states he was asked to test the 2008 Impreza but refused as he thought it was a rubbish. So maybe some of Petter's choices regarding cars have not been as short sighted as some think.

Not quite. Prodrive were looking to appoint a test driver, Martin and Meeke were the two final candidates. Meeke arrived at a UK motor industry test track (MIRA) and tested the Subaru. DR asked him what he thought of the car. Meeke replied- "It's crap".

[T.Maanteiden kuningas]

joukhi is this guy

Google œµÄ¬ÆÁ±Ã· (http://translate.google.gr/translate?sl=fi&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=el&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffi.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTimo_Jouh ki)

some very interesting things on 2nd and 3rd paragraph.

SO?!

And who is joukhi?!

[N.O.T]

And who is joukhi?!

for some years now that the sport is healthy, nobody of importance...but was very important a decade ago.

[Motorsportfun]

Rally Emotion - Motor Show / Solberg vince e saluta la Citroen! (http://www.rallyemotion.it/news/1194-motor-show--solberg-vince-e-saluta-la-citroen)

Petter, from the podium of Bologna's Motor Show, just told his team it was the last event with them "after 3 years of successes"! Ford deal done?

[mousti]

Or nothing ;) . He said it enough this year he don't want to do all this anymore manage a own team finding sponsors and so much other work. So that has now been confirmed we'll see what he does next year his statement doesn't mean anything for next year I think.

[Barreis]

Until deal is done, it's really nothing.

[janvanvurpa]

DR only wants money. In 2004 he could have C.McRae and he chose Hirvonen instead.

in 2003 Colin said ''I would do this for nothing''. Yet it is generally agreed that Colin priced himself out of a paid seat. Which was it?

[Barreis]

Only thing that I remember is that I was sad whole 2004.

[noel157]

Only thing that I remember is that I was sad whole 2004.

Do you need medication? Therapy? A lobotomy? Nothing but negativity in every post.

[Plan9]

SO?!

And who is joukhi?!

I fail to see what this shady character had to do with Subaru WRT (wikipedia did not make it clear). Anyway, he is not the sort of person that WRC could afford to have managing its Finnish stars for long.

I am unsure how he could have hurt Petter as he did not manage him at Subaru?????

[janvanvurpa]

I fail to see what this shady character had to do with Subaru WRT (wikipedia did not make it clear). Anyway, he is not the sort of person that WRC could afford to have managing its Finnish stars for long.

I am unsure how he could have hurt Petter as he did not manage him at Subaru?????

Yes yes of course. The last 20, 25 years is enough..

I think I have his mobil phone number, do you want to call him up and tell him tie's up?

[Hartusvuori]

Petter Solberg will test a Ford Fiesta WRC this week - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96731)

[Barreis]

Very good news.

[Arwel Davies]

Sounds like its a done deal. With Petter soltting in alongside Jari Matti would that be a big indication that Ford are in for next year?

[cali]

Petter Solberg will test a Ford Fiesta WRC this week - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96731)
Good! It's too early for Petter to leave the WRC.

[N.O.T]

very good news...now the excuses are over for good for everyone if the deal is done. Lets hope Ford continues in the WRC as well...

The comparison between Latvala-hirvonen and Tanak is going to be very interesting.

[pino]

Good! It's too early for Petter to leave the WRC.

Totaly agree with you :up:

[OldF]

JML’s opinion.

"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 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."

MaxRally | News | Solberg (http://www.maxrally.com/news/entry/solbergs_ford_bid_boosted_by_latvalas_support/)

[manta400]

Read on twitter that Gerard Quinn is heading to m-sport today! He has been quiet on twitter so maybe over to finalise things ready for announcement Monday?

[T.Maanteiden kuningas]

Yes, very good news!

If deal is really done it´s interesting see what is Petter´s speed now days. I mean that when he can "only" drive rallycar, not allso manage private team.

[Rallyper]

Read on twitter that Gerard Quinn is heading to m-sport today! He has been quiet on twitter so maybe over to finalise things ready for announcement Monday?

Why not announcement this week?

[Barreis]

World Rally Championship - News - Solberg completes Citroen stint with victory (http://www.wrc.com/news/solberg-completes-citroen-stint-with-victory/?fid=15871)

[YankWRC]

They will probably announce it Monday because that is the official deadline. You know how teams like to wait until the last second. If Gerard is truly going to M-Sport, and Petter is testing; I think it would be safe to say Ford is staying. Sure Gerard would not go there on the day of the announcement to pull the plug.

I think that having Petter with JML will be awesome and a true threat to the manufacturers title. Both are very fast and will be pushing like hell to get the title. This may be Ford's last chance both before VW and MINI get to full speed, and Ford may say "if you screw this up we are out".

[Plan9]

I wonder if Petter and Jari will have equal status in the team if this becomes the definitive line-up?

[tfp]

I wonder if Petter and Jari will have equal status in the team if this becomes the definitive line-up?

I should expect JML would get priority because of his commitment and faithfulness to Ford, but theres plenty of Rallys next season, and I reckon if Petter is in the factory Ford team, he can say goodbye to his win-drought :D

[YankWRC]

Agreed tfp, JML would almost have to give Jarri the #1 treatment after all the crap he has done for the team this last season. I think JML has proven his maturity level and performed really well in the second half of the season.

Petter will end the drought at some point this year if the deal goes live.

[noel157]

The decision, if not already made, is not up to Quinn. There's plenty of executives and bean counters way above him.

Regarding Petter, I think when he mentions "factory" he means that all he does is turn up and drive, not go looking and begging for money and worry how many stage kms he get out of a front suspension component before it fails.
Also, Petter testing the Fiesta certainly gives Papa Wilson a bit more positive media coverage (and forum chat). We shall see what happens.............

[YankWRC]

True Noel, it is not made by Quinn, but if Ford have decided then obviously Quinn would be the messanger. So perhaps they have made a decision and Quinn is enroute to reveal it?

Good point on the "factory" clarification. I guess my thought process is with all of the talk, whether it be from Wilson, Quinn, or Solberg that perhaps Ford has given the ok and now pieces are starting to fall into place for a monday announcement. Paint me optimistic but I think Ford leaving the WRC would be a massive loss regardless of MINI or VW coming on. To me it just wouldn't make any sense at all.

[Plan9]

I think that the previous comments regards Petter being number 2 are valid. My other concern is lack of money. If M-Sport loses some money from Ford and Abu Dhabi I think that their development process may slow as a result; I would hate to think that Jari & Petter would have a car no better than this years one. Let's be honest it didn't offer much in terms of excitement compared to the DS3 or MINI. 3 wins overall is probably not the best brand endorsement Ford has ever taken from being involved in Motorsport.

[Hartusvuori]

Agreed tfp, JML would almost have to give Jarri the #1 treatment after all the crap he has done for the team this last season.

This makes very little sense, Latvala should give himself a #1 status after - what crap? - he did to the team this year. Finnish double consonants playing tricks here? You mean Mikko? But he's not in the team anymore. "Jarri" is not a name, at least not Finnish one, and Latvala's name is Jari-Matti, both names and with the dash, it's considered as one. His father is Jari.

And welcome to the forum!

But if Petter signs for Ford, I'd like to see him win and I'd like to see the team success better against Citroen. Then again, they have that Loeb...

[Brother John]

Good! It's too early for Petter to leave the WRC.

I know that Petter is fast but he must prove again that he hit the finish line to win som rally. That was years ago! :rolleyes:

[Zeakiwi]

Hopefully after the Fiesta test on Thursday. Petter will be able to give an assessment of where the Fiesta differentials are compared to the DS 3s.
The only pity is if the Petter's Pikes Peak car stays in the shed in 2012.

[Rallyper]

Hopefully after the Fiesta test on Thursday. Petter will be able to give an assessment of where the Fiesta differentials are compared to the DS 3s.
The only pity is if the Petter's Pikes Peak car stays in the shed in 2012.

Well, that´s a sacrifice I can stand, without any problems, if Petter will be there in WRC for the season 2012. :)

[Miika]

Now YLE is reporting the Petter to Ford -move as a done deal (but also mentions that Ford leaving or staying is still unclear):
Latvala sai maailmanmestarin tallikaverikseen | Ralli | Moottoriurheilu | YLE Urheilu | yle.fi (http://yle.fi/urheilu/lajit/moottoriurheilu/ralli/2011/12/latvala_sai_maailmanmestarin_tallikaverikseen_3102 834.html)

[YankWRC]

yeah sorry! Not enough coffee. I meant that Ford or M-Sport would have to give JML #1 status after last season no doubt. Having to pull over for Mikko the over the second half of the season while clearly showing he was faster than his counterpart. I can understand Mikko was in position to win the title and all of that, but Latvala cleary was better over the second half of the season.

I understand the typos and they were silly mistakes and I know better boss. Will do a better job proof reading before posting. ;) Thanks for the welcome. hahaha.

[Hartusvuori]

I understand the typos and they were silly mistakes and I know better boss. Will do a better job proof reading before posting. ;) Thanks for the welcome. hahaha.

:-) We are rally fans. We know that the smallest mistakes can cause the biggest losses...

[GigiGalliNo1]

Americans! They're learning ;)

[YankWRC]

we are! slowly but surely! We also apologize ahead of time for Ken Block. Good to have him in a car and representing us, but we understand his skill level. True rally fans here in the States respect him but do not worship him.

[janvanvurpa]

yeah sorry! Not enough coffee.
I understand the typos and they were silly mistakes and I know better boss. Will do a better job proof reading before posting. ;) Thanks for the welcome. hahaha.

capitalisation is overrated, said billy as he helped his uncle jack off a horse.

[noel157]

Imagine if (more than likely) Petter does go with M-Sport he'll have to bring a little money to the table.

[alleskids]

Petter said he is done with bringing money to WRC. It was a factory deal (being paid or riding for free) or quiting WRC.
So if Petter has signed with M-Sport, it is with factory support from Ford.
Otherwise it wil be a privat M-Sport team with Latvalla as lead driver and Tanak bringing the budget.

[noel157]

He will bring some budget.

[Bobcat]

He is bringing money. That's just pure speculation right now.

[pdr]

PLEASE Petter ..... LOVE the Ford !

[Sulland]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150524548145733&set=a.212426225732.174439.206160890732&type=1&theater

Borrowed from PlanetMarcus

Hopefully we will get comments and maybe some video later today!

[Viking]

That should be confirmation then :up:

“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,” added Quinn.

[tmx]

Wow, I'm so happy for Petter. Never thought Malcolm would forgive Petter. I can watch WRC again with this news. But I want to know if he's signing up to be a support driver for Latvala: "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." This doesn't sound right.

This will answer a few questions too:
-How good was Mikko in the Ford?
-Was the private Citroen they gave Petter not competitive as their main team?

This deal is more win for Ford, swapping Mikko for Petter. Especially Petter bringing in his experiences. It's likely that Loeb get the 9th title and true that Mikko rarely crash, but I have a feeling Latvala and Solberg are both faster than Hirvonen and can get enough for the manu title, if Hirvonen kept ending up in 4th places. Unlike with Latvala, Mikko will be the one to slow down for Loeb, if he can catches Loeb. I still don't understand why Mikko didn't wait for Ford.

[Jake Stephens]

This is great news for WRC.

[Micke_VOC]

Great news for Petter, Ford and WRC !
Hopefully this not the end for PSWT. They have built a nice and big workshop in Torsby.
Maybe Petters last year as a driver and career as teammanager in the further =)

[Gard]

Wow, I'm so happy for Petter. Never thought Malcolm would forgive Petter. I can watch WRC again with this news. But I want to know if he's signing up to be a support driver for Latvala: "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." This doesn't sound right.

This will answer a few questions too:
-How good was Mikko in the Ford?
-Was the private Citroen they gave Petter not competitive as their main team?

This deal is more win for Ford, swapping Mikko for Petter. Especially Petter bringing in his experiences. It's likely that Loeb get the 9th title and true that Mikko rarely crash, but I have a feeling Latvala and Solberg are both faster than Hirvonen and can get enough for the manu title, if Hirvonen kept ending up in 4th places. Unlike with Latvala, Mikko will be the one to slow down for Loeb, if he can catches Loeb. I still don't understand why Mikko didn't wait for Ford.

According to both Malcolm and Petter, they're good friends. Well. we don't really know do we. As I understand it, Malcolm opted for a younger and paying driver, but Ford wouldn't sign unless they got Petters signature.

[userwave]

let's hope he can deliver results in a factory car


That should be confirmation then :up:

“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,” added Quinn.

[Martin Luijk]

This is great news. Petter Solberg is such a big rally star. Some of my friends in Holland never heard of Loeb but they know Petter Solberg. I can't wait to see what he's capable of. The last year of the Subaru they can't match the speed of Citroën and Ford and with a private car he also never could match the speed of the works drivers.

[tfp]

Very happy about this news :D

[jbmarcus21]

http://forum.rallyeforce.free.fr/files/5181.jpg

Petter Solberg testing Ford Fiesta WRC [PHOTOS] Image (http://bit.ly/vqhf5B)

[logic]

It is kind of a good move for Ford if Petter is onboard for next year , he was responsible for massive Subaru and Citroen sales when he was in both marks in Norway.

[OldF]

IMO it would be better to continue the discussion about Ford and Petter in the Ford WRT (http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/149821-ford-wrt.html) thread. This thread is history.

[N.O.T]

merge the threads or lock 1 otherwise the discussions are going to split..

[Barreis]

Solberg only second driver.
Q & A with Ford WRC team principal Malcolm Wilson on his new deal - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96764)

[N.O.T]

well it is a logical thing to do when you have a guy who is clearly faster already.

Peter will be a nice support.

[Barreis]

We'll see who's faster. JML as a first driver?! It'll be lot of crashes.

[Barreis]

Tests Petter Solberg Fiesta WRC - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOJgHus626Q)

[logic]

I am one of the biggest solberg fans , but will wait to see if he said is true , needing a factory car and all , I have faith in him but sometimes he just aint got the luck.

[Andre Oliveira]

A excelent 1st run with Fiesta. Good video

[tmx]

I am one of the biggest solberg fans , but will wait to see if he said is true , needing a factory car and all , I have faith in him but sometimes he just aint got the luck. Malcolm Wilson will answer your question:
"We've been clear with Petter that he's coming in as the number two driver – he knows that."

[Sulland]

Any comments from Petter after the test yesterday. How was the Ford vs the Citroen ?

[RS]

well it is a logical thing to do when you have a guy who is clearly faster already.

Peter will be a nice support.

There should be no need to designate drivers as no.1 or no.2. This should work itself out naturally and when one driver no longer has the chance to win the title then the other one should support. I don't like this talk of team orders before the season has even started, it might be unwise to put all your eggs in one basket.

[Barreis]

Another Wilson's mistake.

[rallyfiend]

Another Wilson's mistake.

Doesn't the first driver have to be nominated to the FIA? I thought it does.

So clearly this will just be noticed when the registration is made anyway...

[Barreis]

Let we all hope.

[RS]

Doesn't the first driver have to be nominated to the FIA? I thought it does.

So clearly this will just be noticed when the registration is made anyway...

There is a difference between the number on the door and how you treat your drivers.

Just think Mikko could nearly have been "No.1" at Citroen next year if this years championship had worked our differently....

[bluuford]

Doesn't the first driver have to be nominated to the FIA? I thought it does.

So clearly this will just be noticed when the registration is made anyway...

First driver must be nominated during the registration of the manufacturer. It can be changed in case of Force majore.No such rule for manufacturer team.

[bretddog]

Malcolm's words are quite clear. "if he's running first with somebody else second and Jari-Matti third, we're not going to ask him to pull over". So except that, if Petter can help Latvala on points, (presumably without sacrificing manu-points) this will happen, likely from first rally.

But... with the new starting orders I can't really see that this will be too much of a disadvantage. It will only be a swap at the last stage, not like Petter has to sweep the road for everyone. So these situations where tactics come into play are not likely to occur very often, with 4-6? cars in contention.

And Petter is still a question mark. Being without a stable environment for so many years makes it not so predictable what he may accomplish. But the point is he'll have better support than for many years, which he's really happy about, so it will just be very exciting to see what he can do.

I don't think the driver 2 tag is much of a concern to him. The speed and reliability of the Fiesta, and obviously his own performance, will each play big roles, while tactics come end of the season likely will not make any difference.

[Brother John]

Another Wilson's mistake.

Another forum mistake from you Barreis! :eek:

[Viking]

Petter after first test, also commenting on coming back to Ford and his respect for Latvala.

Googlish

Google Oversetter (http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=no&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dagbladet.no%2F2011%2F12%2F16%2 Fsport%2Frally%2Frally-vm%2Fwrc%2Fpetter_solberg%2F19440238%2F)

[Barreis]

Petter Solberg ecstatic about chance to rejoin Ford - WRC news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96775)

[Fide]

OK, Lets see after years and years of frustration If Petter is good enough to demonstrate he still recall how to acelerate without the pressure to deal with sponsors and funding or to drive a crap like the last years of Subaru.
My best wishes to Petter that I hope he will be able to be succesfull and still show everybody why he won 2003 championship and also the "magic" is still there.

[tfp]

OK, Lets see after years and years of frustration If Petter is good enough to demonstrate he still recall how to acelerate without the pressure to deal with sponsors and funding or to drive a crap like the last years of Subaru.
My best wishes to Petter that I hope he will be able to be succesfull and still show everybody why he won 2003 championship and also the "magic" is still there.

:D

[N.O.T]

There should be no need to designate drivers as no.1 or no.2. This should work itself out naturally and when one driver no longer has the chance to win the title then the other one should support. I don't like this talk of team orders before the season has even started, it might be unwise to put all your eggs in one basket.

from a sporting and a spectator point of view it sure isn't nice to have No 1 and No 2 drivers, but from a managerial point of view and a car factory point of view when there are some millions on the line it is....especially when you have a 25 year old who is on fire, and a 37 year old who hasn't won since ww2.

[Fri]

how can he drive next year in Sweden?

[Nornbugger]

how can he drive next year in Sweden?


maybe Paterson will get some testing in before the event, or better still, get Mads to codrive Petter for the event :D

[N.O.T]

how can he drive next year in Sweden?

one solution would be to aquire a licence from another country...but was the suspension for 1 year or less?

[pucky54]

no panic, it was just for two month

[Sladden]

This is the first time since 2005 that Petter will be in a factory team and car capable of winning. Does he still have "it"? Can he recreate the magic feeling that he had with Subaru in the early 2000s?
I wish for this...but somehow I doubt it.

Been a bit too many demoralizing years without wins ect...that affect conofidence and that affect pace. And he is not quite a young and crazy driver anymore.
But to see him for maybe the last season in WRC in a proper factory outing is something I really look forward to. And I HOPE he win another rally!

[Rallyper]

This is the first time since 2005 that Petter will be in a factory team and car capable of winning. Does he still have "it"? Can he recreate the magic feeling that he had with Subaru in the early 2000s?
I wish for this...but somehow I doubt it.

Been a bit too many demoralizing years without wins ect...that affect conofidence and that affect pace. And he is not quite a young and crazy driver anymore.
But to see him for maybe the last season in WRC in a proper factory outing is something I really look forward to. And I HOPE he win another rally!

I think that age is no problem. Petter is still hungry. He knows how to handle a rallycar. Seing him breaking the record on Ouninpohja in 2004 proves everything to me.

I´m sure we´ll see some amazing results for Petter in 2012.

[tfp]

I think that age is no problem. Petter is still hungry. He knows how to handle a rallycar. Seing him breaking the record on Ouninpohja in 2004 proves everything to me.

I´m sure we´ll see some amazing results for Petter in 2012.

I reckon his win-less streak is over. He more than deserved a win in Japan in 2010, and GB the same year.

[Ucci]

I must confess that with all my hart I afford Peter a works drive in 2012! He deserves it, if for no other reason he insisted three seasons as a privateer. And still he is a hell of a fighter.
But, I can not see him as a serious threat to Loeb and Latvala. At least not on all events. He makes to much mistakes (flat tyres, consequent to that damaged suspension), his style is very very aggressive, which leads to technical troubles. And sometimes I feel he is not able to drive 100% flat all three days. Do not forget that his leading positions after first day in 2011 were due to his starting positions. I admit, there were few events which he could win, but due to facts described above he did not manage to win.
If all this writting will be a mistake and Peter will be a serial winner in 2012, than I'm first to congratulate to him and I'll be very happy for him and WRC in general.

[Rallyper]

I must confess that with all my hart I afford Peter a works drive in 2012! He deserves it, if for no other reason he insisted three seasons as a privateer. And still he is a hell of a fighter.
But, I can not see him as a serious threat to Loeb and Latvala. At least not on all events. He makes to much mistakes (flat tyres, consequent to that damaged suspension), his style is very very aggressive, which leads to technical troubles. And sometimes I feel he is not able to drive 100% flat all three days. Do not forget that his leading positions after first day in 2011 were due to his starting positions. I admit, there were few events which he could win, but due to facts described above he did not manage to win.
If all this writting will be a mistake and Peter will be a serial winner in 2012, than I'm first to congratulate to him and I'll be very happy for him and WRC in general.

It´s not hard to see why he had some problems during the private years. Having a non-factorycar Petter knew his only chance was to push. And he did. Maybe too much sometimes meaning he had his troubles. Meaning he cut corners all the times. And you guys know what can happen if you cut too much?

Petter of course now in 2012 can feel he´s equal too every factorydriver and he will take on that too his tactics. For sure!

[RS]

He just has to make sure he is more than one position ahead of JML...

[Koppomsbo]

Is Petter paying for his drive?

[noel157]

I think he's bringing some budget.

[Gard]

I think he's bringing some budget.
I guess some of his sponsors will continue. We'll se when the livery is done

[AMSS]

I heard some rumours that he drives for free but is free to have personal sponsors which than would be paying his salary. BUT this is a rumour!

[Sladden]

I think that age is no problem. Petter is still hungry. He knows how to handle a rallycar. Seing him breaking the record on Ouninpohja in 2004 proves everything to me.

I´m sure we´ll see some amazing results for Petter in 2012.
I agree...just thinking he is not quite the driver he used to be...that could beat Loeb and Grönholm in a fight. That has not happened in a long time. But I hope he can step it up again...that would make the Citroen Ford fight really exiting.

[janvanvurpa]

It´s not hard to see why he had some problems during the private years. Having a non-factorycar Petter knew his only chance was to push. And he did. Maybe too much sometimes meaning he had his troubles. Meaning he cut corners all the times. And you guys know what can happen if you cut too much?

Petter of course now in 2012 can feel he´s equal too every factorydriver and he will take on that too his tactics. For sure!

Yeah the way I looked at petter main tactic as "privateer" was to show he still had the raw speed since "everybody' was saying during the last years with the Subaru that Petter was over the hill, and too old and too slow, bla-ha bla-ha! So it was important to show he's still fast enough for top results----even in a less than full spec works car...
And he did prove that.....maybe not fast enough or mistake free to win the Driver's title but obviously HE is fast enough..

Now we just have to wait and håll tumarna.....Heja Petter! även om han är Norrman! (ingen svensk djävul är på samma nivå---va fan är det me det?? :( )

[tfp]

Yeah the way I looked at petter main tactic as "privateer" was to show he still had the raw speed since "everybody' was saying during the last years with the Subaru that Petter was over the hill, and too old and too slow, bla-ha bla-ha! So it was important to show he's still fast enough for top results----even in a less than full spec works car...
And he did prove that.....maybe not fast enough or mistake free to win the Driver's title but obviously HE is fast enough.. :up:

Now we just have to wait and håll tumarna.....Heja Petter! även om han är Norrman! (ingen svensk djävul är på samma nivå---va fan är det me det?? :( )

Agreed! But I diddnt understand the last bit :)

[janvanvurpa]

Agreed! But I diddnt understand the last bit :)

Rallypär is Swedish and i wuz replying to him.....
Then again his ancestors settled all round the NW and NW coasts
So.................

You should, them bastids settled where ya live...I though you'd understand Swedish bra. You sure you're from the NE?
håll tummarna is 'hold (the) thumbs''

Heja Petta is like Up Petter! then även om han är Norrman is a little poke saying 'even if he are (a) Norman (Norskie bastid)

Last bit is being fair, cause if I was going to flip some skit at Petter for being Norwegian, justice says I have to flip some skit at Swedes too so it says ''(no swedish devil (directly translated it's 'devil' but more like 'bastid') is on (the) same level---what the hell is with that?'')

You sure you're from upp norf?

[Langdale Forest]

If Petter wins a rally this year, I belive he has a good chance, it will be a record win, in the fact of time between rally wins.

juwra.com**|**Statistics - Longest gap between wins (http://www.juwra.com/stats_longest_gap_between_wins.html)

If he wins any rally this year he would have had the longest gap.

[N.O.T]

If Petter wins a rally this year, I belive he has a good chance, it will be a record win, in the fact of time between rally wins.

juwra.com | Statistics - Longest gap between wins (http://www.juwra.com/stats_longest_gap_between_wins.html)

If he wins any rally this year he would have had the longest gap.

peter has "a good chance" to win for some years now......

[Langdale Forest]

But the last 3 years have been in a private car, and with alot less money and rescorces of the factory Ford and Citroen teams.

[N.O.T]

and this year he is 2nd driver with 1 year mercenary contract with no chance to win if latvala is in the rally...and no chance to set up his car in the first 2 rallies...

good luck with that.

[Langdale Forest]

Petter would be allowed to win if there was a Citroen between him and Latvala.
And if Latvala had a disastarous start to the season, the team would have to favour him instead of Latvala for that championship.

And why can't he set up his car in the first two rallies?

[Andre Oliveira]

If Petter wins a rally this year, I belive he has a good chance, it will be a record win, in the fact of time between rally wins.

juwra.com | Statistics - Longest gap between wins (http://www.juwra.com/stats_longest_gap_between_wins.html)

If he wins any rally this year he would have had the longest gap.

I had thought about that and shared in FORD WRT thread: http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/149821-ford-wrt-2.html#post992727

Curiosity: Last Petter's win - Great Britain 2005

If wins Monte Carlo: Gap between wins: 87 stars or 6 six years and ~200 days

Juwra.com (http://www.juwra.com/stats_longest_g...ween_wins.html (http://www.juwra.com/stats_longest_gap_between_wins.html)):

Shektar Mehta - 5 years and 359 days (1973 Safari - 1979 Safari)

Juha Kankkunen - 44 stars (1994 Portugal - 1999 Argentina)

Petter will break these records for sure :)

[N.O.T]

Petter will break these records for sure :)

my suggestion is he waits a few more years so he breaks the record of the oldest driver winning an event along with the difference from win to win...no need to be hasty with braking records...and of course there is the most WRC wins record, he might try that as well since he is still in the sport.

[Rallyper]

I´m sure Petter will stay in the sport so long as it makes your hair grey of envious.

[Kielder]

Flodin has bought part of the Team's structure for his IRC's team. Not the Renault truck, which belongs now to Loeb. He will use it for his GT Team.

[106 sport]

Flodin has bought part of the Team's structure for his IRC's team. Not the Renault truck, which belongs now to Loeb. He will use it for his GT Team.

I didn't know that Flodin is going to participate in IRC...

Which is going to be his program?

Thanks.

[Kielder]

I didn't know that Flodin is going to participate in IRC...

Which is going to be his program?

Thanks.

It hasn't been announced yet. His car is going to be a Fiesta S2000.

[106 sport]

It hasn't been announced yet. His car is going to be a Fiesta S2000.

Thanks again. I hope Rally Islas Canarias (Gran Canaria) will be in his program...

[N.O.T]

I´m sure Petter will stay in the sport so long as it makes your hair grey of envious.

i do not mind him staying in the sport...he still has things to offer, but it is time his fans to accept reality.

send kimi my regards and tell him the first 10 hamburgers are on me next time he visits Mcdonalds.

[mousti]

Let's hope it's gonna be Flodin in IRC! And still hoping on something from PSA with that new Peugeot Evo could be a supported program via Kronos, I'll be happy then :D

[Viking]

I´m sure Petter will stay in the sport so long as it makes your hair grey of envious.

Well it was close this season, Petter had other offers from WTCC and LMS.

[A.F.F.]

i do not mind him staying in the sport...he still has things to offer, but it is time his fans to accept reality.

send kimi my regards and tell him the first 10 hamburgers are on me next time he visits Mcdonalds.

I took the liberty to deliver your regards to Kimi. He said that you can keep your hampurgers and save the moneyt to improve the economy around your whereabouts :p :

[N.O.T]

I took the liberty to deliver your regards to Kimi. He said that you can keep your hampurgers and save the moneyt to improve the economy around your whereabouts :p :

i do not care about the ecomony around me...everyone gets what they deserve.

[A.F.F.]

i do not care about the ecomony around me...everyone gets what they deserve.

Of course you don't. And that caused the problem in the first place.

[Viking]

Of course you don't. And that caused the problem in the first place.

:D

[N.O.T]

Of course you don't

not in the way you mean it...

[tfp]

I took the liberty to deliver your regards to Kimi. He said that you can keep your hampurgers and save the moneyt to improve the economy around your whereabouts :p :

:rotflmao:

Ahaha!

[tfp]

not in the way you mean it...

If you want to insult Kimi, you dont have to bring burgers into it, at least say something that actually works....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBMRsY_UI4E
There you go ;)

[N.O.T]

If you want to insult Kimi, you dont have to bring burgers into it, at least say something that actually works....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBMRsY_UI4E
There you go ;)

insulting someones addictions/disabilities is not funny...

we are a click away from the pub.

[Allyc85]

I took the liberty to deliver your regards to Kimi. He said that you can keep your hampurgers and save the moneyt to improve the economy around your whereabouts :p :

I hope there was enough to go around for the tourists and the sick dogs?

[bretddog]

i do not mind him staying in the sport...he still has things to offer, but it is time his fans to accept reality.

Mr Weather-vane talks about reality? At least Solberg fans stay the course. It ain't over til it's over. :cool:

[Brother John]

So here are the most with their pub talk. :talk:

[ste898]

i do not mind him staying in the sport...he still has things to offer, but it is time his fans to accept reality.

send kimi my regards and tell him the first 10 hamburgers are on me next time he visits Mcdonalds.

You never stop coming out with utter crap

Once Petter goes the sport will loose its last character

[N.O.T]

Once Petter goes the sport will loose its last character

Booooo Hooooo
...

[Mirek]

There's some five thousand years old text carved in the stone saying that the world has gone wrong and it will never be as good as it used to be... :)