Solberg plans full Power Stage attack

Petter Solberg has vowed to go on full attack on the Rally d’Italia Sardegna-closing Power Stage, despite conceding that he faces a tall order to catch second-placed Mikko Hirvonen.

Citroen privateer Solberg thought he’d closed to within 1.3s of the Ford driver after winning the penultimate test, Terranova.

However, a decision by the event clerk of course to lower the time originally credited to Hirvonen on stage 10 on Saturday after a technical error was discovered, means the gap between the two drivers has been widened to 5.8s after Hirvonen’s time for the tenth stage was adjusted by 4.5s.

“I thought I could take him on the last stage because the gap was 1.3s but now it will be more difficult at 5.8s,” said Solberg. “It’s a very short stage [8.24 kilometres] and he’s starting behind me because they’re turning around the starting order but everything can happen. I still have to push because I want points. We’ll have to see.”

Solberg is firmly on course for his first podium of 2011 after Sebastien Ogier, his closest challenge, suffered broken rear suspension on stage 17 and slipped to fourth, 1m11.4s adrift. However, the Norwegian is determined to gain the three bonus points on offer for winning the Power Stage as well.

“We have to fight for the points,” said the 2003 world champion. “I have to push myself, it will be maximum attack as usual.”

Another contender for Power Stage glory is Jari-Matti Latvala, who has gone quickest on two of Sunday’s three stages in his factory Ford Fiesta. His co-driver Miikka Anttila said the fact all cars will start the run on fresh tyres following the service halt in Olbia will make it more of a level playing field than in Jordan, where Latvala reckoned he lost out on victory because his tyres were badly worn.

“Because we have the service before everybody can take the best tyres so we can all try to win some time,” said Anttila.