Solberg can win this season

Petter Solberg’s team boss Ken Rees believes the 2003 world champion can be a winner again before the end of the season.

Solberg hasn’t climbed the top step of the podium since winning Rally GB in September 2005. But after claiming his fourth podium finish of the year in Bulgaria earlier this month, Rees believes it’s only a matter of time before the Norwegian lands his 14th WRC career victory.

“There are six events coming up and we’ve just proved we’re competitive on asphalt,” said Rees. “Okay it won’t be easy on Tarmac against Sebastien Loeb but we can be there if there is any slip. Then you’ve got the gravel events he likes, Finland, Japan and especially Rally GB. There’s a win coming and it’s going to be on the next six.”

However, Rees did concede that Solberg’s frugal budget could hold him back. “The full budget we need is never there,” said Rees. “We keep robbing Peter to pay Paul and somehow we’ll get to the end of the year. Performances like this help a lot but we have to maintain this performance and it’s not easy. Petter is still working hard on the budget but fingers crossed we’ll make it to the end of the season.”

Bulgaria marked the first time in 11 years that Solberg had competed without long-term co-driver Phil Mills by his side. Rees said he was pleased Solberg’s partnership with new co-driver Chris Patterson had gelled so quickly.

“I thought it would take the whole weekend for them to gel but it actually took 10 kilometres of the first stage,” said Rees. “It was very hard work but they’ve achieved it well and I’m very pleased with the partnership. They got stronger and stronger and I think it can only go from strength to strength. Nobody can replace Phil but Chris has stepped in and we’re very happy now. We can go straight to the next event and concentrate on performance and podiums.”

The 2010 World Rally Championship resumes with Neste Oil Rally Finland from 29-31 July.