Solberg to push for Portugal victory

Petter Solberg insists he has no regrets about the crash that cost him a possible win on Rally New Zealand earlier this month and will once again go all-out to claim victory on Vodafone Rally de Portugal, which gets underway with a superspecial stage in Estadio Algarve this evening (Thursday).

Solberg crashed into an electricity pylon on the final stage in New Zealand while travelling in sixth gear. Miraculously his Citroen C4 suffered only superficial damage and has been repaired by his Petter Solberg World Rally Team mechanics for use on the Faro-based event.

The crash cost Solberg second place in the title order but means the Norwegian will start Friday’s gravel stages in fifth position on the road by virtue of his championship standing.

“It was maybe a little too much but I decided to go like a maniac to try to win in New Zealand because I am here for winning,” said the 2003 world champion. “I tried to do it, I pushed too hard and it didn’t work but I am not so disappointed because my starting position here is better and I am in control of my situation for Saturday, which wasn’t the case in New Zealand when I lost a lot of time. I will push again for the win here and that is my only goal.”

Solberg began his Rally de Portugal bid with a successful shakedown in Vale de Judeu earlier today, ending up second fastest to Citroen Junior Team pilot Sebastien Ogier. To maximise the amount of running Solberg got, his team serviced his car away from the main service area, which co-driver Phil Mills said had proved to be beneficial.

“It’s 20 minutes back to service each time so servicing where we did saved us time - we’re a private team so we don’t come under the rules of the world championship in that respect,” said Mills. “We had no issues at all in shakedown and everything was straightforward. People went fast towards the end but I always look at the first two times and we were there straight away.”