Solberg admits to uncertainty over 2011 drive

Petter Solberg secured third place in the final World Rally Championship standings on Wales Rally GB at the weekend - then admitted afterwards that he has yet to find the budget needed to continue in the series in 2011.

Solberg, who turns 36 on Thursday, has run his own team in the WRC since 2009 but is in the dark about his programme for next season.

“Honestly I don’t have a clue what I am doing yet,” said the 2003 world champion. “I have one sponsor but nothing else and I don’t know what to do. You can talk to as many people as you want but unless anything is happening 100 per cent you can’t do anything. I am very motivated: I want to drive and I want to fight still but we just have to see what’s happening.”

Third place for Solberg was his best finish in the final title rankings since he finished second back in 2005, which also marked the last time he won a round of the world championship.

“Honestly, we can’t do better than this,” he continued. “The team has worked flat-out all year and if people think it’s easy to just get a proper car and go fast then let me say, it’s not easy. There is so much work behind the scenes that goes on and everybody is very pleased to get podiums in the world championship. Second or third, it doesn’t matter, as long as you are on the podium that is the main thing.

“Personally speaking, I haven’t seen my wife and son that much for two years because I’ve been flying all the time and in meetings with sponsors and testing, and then each rally. So it’s maybe lucky I am still married! Okay, we have the same passion luckily.”

Despite losing out on victory on Rally GB to Sebastien Loeb following a close fight, which lasted until the final morning, Solberg said he was satisfied with his efforts on the WRC season finale.

“I’m very happy because it’s been hard work and a long way back to the top,” he said. “We have been fast on every rally but as a privateer it’s difficult I can tell you.”