Solberg confirmed for final three rounds

Petter Solberg has reaffirmed his commitment to the remaining three rounds of the world championship, despite hinting on Rally Australia earlier this month that he might not see out the 2011 campaign.

The Citroen privateer, world rally champion in 2003, has been dogged by a lack of finance throughout the year, which he says has contributed to his drop in pace against his rivals.

Although the Norwegian ace took third in Australia, only his second podium of the season, after a replacement engine was fitted into his DS3 WRC, he admitted his eponymous team almost didn’t make the trip to New South Wales due to funding issues and following a frustrating run of the results.

However, Solberg’s participation on the rallies in France, Spain and Great Britain was confirmed on his official website earlier this week in a statement which read: “The 2011 WRC is almost coming to an end, with only three more events to go. The next event is the French asphalt round next week. Three weeks after we head to Spain, before the season grand finale in Wales [in] mid-November.”

Despite committing to the final three events of 2011, Solberg has admitted that he has endured a tough season alongside Northern Irish co-driver Chris Patterson.

“It’s tough being a privateer team now compared to what it was last year,” said Solberg. “All I can do is the best on my side and hope everything goes okay.”

After 10 rounds Solberg is fifth in the drivers’ standings, six points behind factory Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala. The Petter Solberg World Rally Team is fourth in the manufacturers’ table.

Solberg is a former Rallye de France winner, taking victory when the event was based in Corsica while driving for the now defunct Subaru World Rally Team in 2003.