No restart for Petter Solberg in Wales

The 2011 World Rally Championship came to a disappointing end for Petter Solberg as he was forced to retire from Wales Rally GB.

The Norwegian was lying in fourth place after the first day of action and was ready to chase down Mads Ostberg for third place. Unfortunately, a broken fuel pipe forced him to stop on his way to the day’s first stage.

“Suddenly there was a fire under the bonnet and the flames were all over the windscreen”, said Petter. “We had no other choice than to jump out of the car and put the fire out. It would have been possible to repair the car and continue tomorrow, but we have decided not to restart.”

“I am obviously very disappointed”, he added. “This was not the way I hoped to end the season or this rallye. We were in a good position for a podium and I believe we had a chance for third place.”

Petter Solberg scored two podiums this season – in Italy and Australia – and will finish fifth in the drivers’ championship. His PSWRT lies in fourth place in the manufacturers’ standings.