Henning Solberg says he is confident of further progress from the Stobart VK MSport team in the 2008 World Rally Championship after a fine campaign for the Ford 'B' team in 2007.

Although the team has yet to officially confirm its plans for the new campaign, it is anticipated that the progamme will continue although without the services of youngster Jari-Matti Latvala who has graduated to the full works team to replace the retiring Marcus Gronholm.

Solberg himself ended the 2007 season as the leading Stobart driver in the points standings after a campaign that yielded seven points finishes and a first podium finish – which came on home soil in Norway. Solberg also took a podium finish in Japan en-route to sixth place in the drivers standings and set four fastest stage times over the course of the year.

"The whole year has been very good and this was my first season doing all of the rallies," he told Crash.net at the Race of Champions. "It was a bit difficult at times and a hard season but also a lot of fun. We got a lot of good experience and some good positions so I'm very happy."

The team ended the season on a high, with Solberg and Latvala on the podium in two of the final three events and Latvala posting a series of fastest stage times on Wales Rally GB – performances the elder Solberg admitted had boosted the team ahead of the future.

"It is a good boost to the team," he said. "We are looking forward to seeing what we can achieve in 2008."