SS13: Solberg struggles to close on Ford duo

Petter Solberg says he is unable to get on terms with leading Ford drivers Jari-Matti Latvala and Mikko Hirvonen, despite his best efforts behind the wheel of his privateer Citroen DS3 WRC.

The Norwegian, world champion in 2003, had high hopes of closing on Ford’s flying Finns by running behind them on the road on day two. However, he completed Saturday’s third stage almost one minute behind leader Latvala.

“I must say I’m struggling, I have a lot of oversteer,” said Solberg, who was sixth fastest through the Valla test. “I am trying everything but I have no chance. I would like to come closer to the guys but they are pulling away.”

Hirvonen, who is running first on the road, also reported dropping time in his Fiesta RS WRC. He was 2.3s slower than Latvala through the test and now falls 9.3s behind his team-mate in the overall classification. He said: “In places it is more damp but there are some very dry sections so we are gaining time and losing time.”

M-Sport Stobart Ford driver Evgeny Novikov impressed by going 3.4s faster than Solberg. The Russian restarted on day two under SupeRally regulations after breaking his Fiesta’s steering striking a rock on stage seven.

Sebastien Ogier was third quickest in his repaired Citroen DS3 WRC but remains outside the top 10 due to the penalties incurred by retiring from day one. Team-mate Sebastien Loeb, also out of contention following his exit on Friday, was fifth fastest.