Lightning strikes twice for Solberg

Ford team boss Malcolm Wilson has spoken of his disappointment after Petter Solberg crashed out of RallyRACC-Rally de Espana this morning, reportedly hitting the same rock that he struck on this event in 2011.

Solberg, in a Ford Fiesta RS WRC, was in fourth overall, 3.5s off the lead of the FIA World Rally Championship finale, when he hit trouble 18.63 kilometres into 26.59-kilometre Pesells test and retired. Thierry Neuville and Andreas Mikkelsen are both understood to have hit the same rock.

A team spokesperson explained Wilson had yet to speak to Solberg but added that Wilson was “very disappointed”.

The spokesperson also confirmed Solberg’s car sustained front-left suspension damage. Although the Norwegian and British co-driver Chris Patterson attempted to continue they stopped shortly afterwards. They are due to restart on day two providing the damage to their car can be repaired.