Petter Solberg WRT

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Originally Posted by Rallyblog

A manufacturer may/must enter with 2 cars, but can enter with more than 2 drivers.
The first car has a fixed driver and codriver.
The drivers of the second car may be changed for each rally.

So, what are the options for Solberg to get into a DS3?

1. Share a car with Ogier. Solberg and Ogier as well won't settle for that.[/*:m:1e4p1zfh]
2. Loeb retires (he has a contract for 2011, but maybe he changes his mind), Ogier first car, Solberg second car or vice versa (Big if, but I don't think so).[/*:m:1e4p1zfh]
3. Solberg will continue with his private team and gets the fifth DS3.[/*:m:1e4p1zfh]
4. Solberg can't get the budget right and retires (I don't think so, Solberg is in his second youth, competing at the top)[/*:m:1e4p1zfh]
5. Solberg joins the junior team.[/*:m:1e4p1zfh]

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Every manufacturer can have a third car as well. This car is just not nominated for the points but can use the latest machinery. Qassimi was third official car in BP Ford this year for example. That means Citroen services the car and has all the rights to do whatever they want with the car. Then there is no possibility to dream about such a thing like Solberg World Rally Team anymore.
However. This is not cleared what kind of machinery can be used by those drivers who are not competing under official Manufacturer umbrella (This year they were not allowed to use the latest machinery, but starting from next year... only the latest machinery is allowed :-)).

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Originally Posted by bluuford

Every manufacturer can have a third car as well. This car is just not nominated for the points but can use the latest machinery.

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You're right indeed, so that would mean that Solberg joins the Citroën team (and in return supplies budget to run a manufacturer serviced DS3).
He can score points for the drivers championship but not for the manufacturer championship. Only when he swaps places with Ogier for certain rallies.

I't s a good option but it would be a pity of all the money invested in the Solberg WRT. He's so close to winning on 'own force'.

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Originally Posted by Rallyblog

You're right indeed, so that would mean that Solberg joins the Citroën team (and in return supplies budget to run a manufacturer serviced DS3).
He can score points for the drivers championship but not for the manufacturer championship. Only when he swaps places with Ogier for certain rallies.

I't s a good option but it would be a pity of all the money invested in the Solberg WRT. He's so close to winning on 'own force'.

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There is still Wales GB to go. I reality winning, and winning regularly is a massive ask for a private team. Petter's team is a true private team with very sparse resources unlike the Kronos private team of 2006 or even the David Sutton Rothmans private team of 1981 when Ari was champ.

Exciting if Solberg is 3rd official driver at Citroën Racing :bounce:

I have trouble believing it. Why ban Sordo to the junior team, while he knows everyone and everythink from the senior team, and is the second best tarmac driver and has a long lasting furure ahead of him and give his place to Solberg? Why not run Sordo as third works driver and switch nominations between Ogier and Sordo, as it is working pretty good this year?
Petter wil have troubles fitting in the team and act to instructions of the Citroen managers and engineers

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Originally Posted by alleskids

I have trouble believing it. Why ban Sordo to the junior team, while he knows everyone and everythink from the senior team, and is the second best tarmac driver and has a long lasting furure ahead of him and give his place to Solberg? Why not run Sordo as third works driver and switch nominations between Ogier and Sordo, as it is working pretty good this year?
Petter wil have troubles fitting in the team and act to instructions of the Citroen managers and engineers

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Agree, but you cant deny you get a good laugh every time you read one idea more weird than the other.

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Originally Posted by Tomi

Agree, but you cant deny you get a good laugh every time you read one idea more weird than the other.

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I hear they're dumping the two Seb's and Dani and employing Galli and Solberg :laugh:

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Originally Posted by Daniel

I hear they're dumping the two Seb's and Dani and employing Galli and Solberg :laugh:

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lol, a real dream team :laugh:

If it´s true I think it opens for PG in Ford factory team as well. :)

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Originally Posted by alleskids

I have trouble believing it. Why ban Sordo to the junior team, while he knows everyone and everythink from the senior team, and is the second best tarmac driver and has a long lasting furure ahead of him and give his place to Solberg? Why not run Sordo as third works driver and switch nominations between Ogier and Sordo, as it is working pretty good this year?
Petter wil have troubles fitting in the team and act to instructions of the Citroen managers and engineers

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Senior or junior, it's the same team. They can use Sordo for manu points for whatever rally they like. Only #1 driver is locked. For me this solution seems very logical. They can use a third driver, but he can't get manu points. This way they can rent out a top spec car and they have full control over it.

Problem is that Citroen can't hand over their latest and most valuable technologies, to a private team. Without making sure, the "secrets" don't get out. This way, they can get the best from both.

What happens to PSWRT is another question. They probably just need to change their team shirts. S2000 or IRC could also be alternatives.

I think it would be a good solution If it would happen, I don't know.