Solberg: this could be my last season

Former World Rally Champion Petter Solberg has warned that the 2010 WRC season could be his last.

Running his own programme this year, as he did in 2009, the Norwegian has assembled a team he believes will give him another chance of repeating his 2003 title win. But with finances tight, Solberg, 35, has only now been able to confirm a full season in his new Citroen C4 WRC.

"It’s been hard work, I must say," said Solberg. "But after being away from my wife and son for two months, and after a lot of phone calls with Citroen, we have come to a very good plan. We will do the whole championship and I really hope to have a proper fight with the big boys and the manufacturers."

Solberg, who will start his 150th World Championship Rally next week in Sweden, said the amount of work in the off-season had been tiring, but that he was determined to make the most of the opportunity - which could be his last to fight for a second title.

"Give me a couple of days sleep and I will be happy for the rest of the year - no problem," he said. "I’m ready, and at least I have one chance now. You never know, maybe it’s the last year that I’m doing this. Who knows? These are tough times. So I’m going to put in every effort I can. I’ve been pushing myself very hard - I’m the lowest weight I have been since been I was 17!"

Solberg took delivery of his C4 WRC on 21 January, and has since driven it to victory in two national rallies; the Swedish Finnskogvalsen (23 Jan) and the Norwegian Svuly Rally Dahbi (30 Jan).