Lightning strikes twice for Solberg
Ford ace retires in Spain after hitting same rock as last year
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.