Should Solberg be in a factory seat for 2013?

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Originally Posted by SlowSon

One more thing to say and I stop attacking Solberg. I see several people contending he deserves a drive just because he was a champion 10 years ago with 1 point advantage. So, are Gronholm and Hirvonen less deserving than him just because they missed it for 1 point? (Retoric)

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Has anyone said that? If so they're wrong. But Petter does deserve it based on past performance. The title means nothing now, but his perforrmances over the past 3 seasons have been much better than anyone except Loeb, Mikko, JML, Ogier and possibly Sordo. All the others have seats/are retiring so Petter is the next best option.

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Originally Posted by Barreis

This sport needs Solberg 'cos he's good ambassador of it.

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Agreed. Even for those who don't think he should be in a top team for whatever reason, the WRC needs him in my opinion. He's the only character left in it, and he's rapid too. People like Henning, Nobre etc are characters but nowehere near the top. A chance of a win for Petter and interest in WRC peaks.

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Originally Posted by pettersolberg29

A chance of a win for Petter and interest in WRC peaks.

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A year ago I would have agreed. But too many mistakes and disappointing failures have negated any sparked interest. Time to move on.

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Originally Posted by sollitt

If that theory was applied historically neither Loeb nor Ogier would have gotten a factory seat. The fact is a competitors speed and competitiveness should be evident regardless of what they're driving.
Of course the whole thing would be a lot easier if the WRC formula was a car that privateers could both gain access to and afford.

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Yes, because neither of them showed ANY speed before they hopped into a WRCar :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Xsara Fan

Why would Novikov agree with this proposal? He has budget and at least 4 different teams for 2013: factory Ford, private Ford, private Citroen, factory Mini. Why would Evgeny must play strange game "beat Petter > get place in Ford"?

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Its a good chance for Evgeny, and a fair one I think, prove who is the fastest and who ever can deliver the results earns the factory seat, and then theres no need for Evgenys budget.
I think Petter would come out on top in that battle, but if Evgeny is faster I'll gladly hold my hand up and say I was wrong. Hats off to Novikov if he can do it!

From watching Novikov in NZ, he seemed super-sideways compared to even Tanak and Solberg. In terms of a character I think he is up there with Solberg, real good guy to talk to. Great sense of humour.
I just worry he is a bit side ways, in saying that he seemed to be alot smoother than Solberg and Tanak....
To me Neuville seems to be the next best in the second-tier group.
I think its a shame we haven't seen Meekes and Hanninen in a WRC session. I hope we see Paddon...
Im guessing the choice will also be based on more testing of different drivers with the Fiesta.
Did any one notice the wording of the press release mentions Osberg as a point scoring car so not necessary number one car.

In 2000 Loeb has driven Toyota Corolla WRC in tour de Corse and Sanremo and he has shown his speed on this events with that kind of car. And in 2002 he was third factory driver something impossible these days. Ogier also was first in Citroen Junior team and after his great results in 2009 and 2010 he was promoted to the factory team in 2011. So Seb Loeb and Seb Ogier both had proven their speed before receive a factory seat.

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Originally Posted by sollitt

If that theory was applied historically neither Loeb nor Ogier would have gotten a factory seat. The fact is a competitors speed and competitiveness should be evident regardless of what they're driving.
Of course the whole thing would be a lot easier if the WRC formula was a car that privateers could both gain access to and afford.

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In 2000 Loeb has driven Toyota Corolla WRC in tour de Corse and Sanremo and he has shown his speed on this events with that kind of car. And in 2002 he was third factory driver something impossible these days. Ogier also was first in Citroen Junior team and after his great results in 2009 and 2010 he was promoted to the factory team in 2011. So Seb Loeb and Seb Ogier both had proven their speed before receive a factory seat.

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Originally Posted by rage82

In 2000 Loeb has driven Toyota Corolla WRC in tour de Corse and Sanremo and he has shown his speed on this events with that kind of car. And in 2002 he was third factory driver something impossible these days. Ogier also was first in Citroen Junior team and after his great results in 2009 and 2010 he was promoted to the factory team in 2011. So Seb Loeb and Seb Ogier both had proven their speed before receive a factory seat.

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Don't listen to Solitt, he claims to be heavily involved in rallying yet comes across like someone who has watched The Vatanen Too and thinks he knows everything about rallying :)

My thoughts on the matter. Petter has charisma and a lot of support, especially during the PSWRT days, I think that within the Ford corporate environment that didnt come accross so obviously. Also WRC needed Petter after the 2008 team departures the championship needed PSWRT team truck and it was parked in manufacturer area if service park. With the likes of Ogier and Neuville etc coming up and Petter now 38, which incidentally was the age Colin and Marcus retired and the age that Loeb is becoming part time, maybe it is an ideal age for Petter to start another career. I'm sure GRC European Rallycross, X Games and Pikes Peak would love Petter.

Ok, Solberg was running his own private team for several years till this one. I admire his passion to do this, it is not for everyone probably. He used to say if this year he is not in factory team, he would quit WRC. Frankly I was expecting more from him this year with all the burden to manage his team and compete in the same time taken off his shoulders. I don't see how this could change for the future. He has unique personality, true, I have nothing against he will continue in WRC in a factory team, but after this year I don't see how this will become any better. Apart from his mistakes on the road (unlucky or not), and Ford's not so good tacktics sometimes, he seem to make more mistakes with setup his car properly, we saw that on few occasions. Perhaps it is time to do something else indeed. It was nice to have him around though...