Ostberg: home joy a boost for WRC effort

Mads Ostberg says his continued success in his domestic series can only be of benefit to his campaign in the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia.

After five rounds, the emerging Norwegian is fourth in the WRC drivers’ standings and in touching distance of second place following a strong start to the season in his Adapta World Rally Team Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Last weekend, Ostberg claimed victory on Rally Sorland, round four of the Norwegian championship, in a Fiesta Regional Rally Car, which he said would serve as valuable preparation for the WRC-counting Acropolis Rally in two weeks.

“I participate in the Norwegian championship to get as much time in the car as I can before a WRC event, which is my main goal this year,” said Ostberg following his dominant victory on home soil. “With 120 kilometres [completed] our preparations for the Acropolis Rally are looking good.”

Ostberg revealed he was a big fan of the gravel event based in the town of Mandal. “This round is the coolest round in the Norwegian championship,” he said. “The roads are really challenging and there are stages where you can push hard and take lots of seconds, which I really like.”

Before heading to Greece for the Acropolis Rally, Ostberg will be in action on the Rally of Champions event in Latvia where he will drive a Group N-specification Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.