Solberg to build on GB pace

Petter Solberg and co-driver Chris Patterson believe they can carry over their impressive form on Wales Rally GB to the season-closing FIA World Rally Championship counters in France, Italy and Spain.

Ford pair Solberg and Patterson lost out to eight-time world champions Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena of Citroen in a thrilling battle for second place in Great Britain earlier this month by a scant margin, settling for third place instead. Their team-mates Jari-Matti Latvala and Miikka Anttila claimed victory. And it was a result that has fired their belief of a successful climax to the current WRC campaign.

“We have been fast in many, many rallies this year,” said Norwegian Solberg. “We did some changes and I must say it was really good, the car was easy to drive and really fun. There were no mistakes, no problems, nothing. We’re going to hope to continue this now for the rest of the year.”

Solberg’s Northern Irish co-driver Patterson said: “Everybody is just really highly motivated now. We’re going to carry it through to the next rally.”

The WRC resumes with round 11, Rallye de France Alsace, from 4-7 October.