Solberg: We will turn it around

Former world rally champion Petter Solberg believes the Ford World Rally Team will leave their bad luck behind them and turn things around for the second half of this year’s FIA World Rally Championship.

Solberg was knocked out of winning contention when a wrong tyre choice meant he was over a minute off the lead following the opening leg on this weekend’s Brother Rally New Zealand. Despite battling back on the event’s closing two days, the Norwegian was unable to make up the time lost and was forced to settle with third.

“We came here with a good car and a big opportunity but unfortunately Friday’s mistakes ended our hopes of a win,” explained 37-year-old Solberg. “That was sad for the team, but a podium is still a good result and taking bonus points in the Power Stage was a good ending to the rally.”

Commenting ahead of the season’s second half, Solberg remains optimistic. “We will turn things around,” he said. “I’ve had enough of podium spots, some of these podium must turn into wins! We want to push on in the second half of the season and we will be fast in Finland. Jari-Matti [Latvala] is very quick over there and I hope one of us will win that rally.”