Solberg’s team-mate,
Chris Atkinson is also optimistic, even if he has only done this event once before: “We all hope to be on the podium a lot more and fighting for positions that are a bit higher than they were in 2006,” the Aussie added. “With the effort that the team has been putting in during the close season, we should be capable of achieving that.
“If we can get some good points on the first three rallies it would be great, but we want to be up there fighting with the leaders, not just being happy with fifth. We want to be pushing if we can and putting our rivals under a lot of pressure.”
Stobart M-Sport Ford Rally team:
[
Jari-Matti Latvala, car #9 and
Henning Solberg, car #10]
The Stobart M-Sport Ford WRT will again take in all 16 events this season, entering three cars on all the rounds. Jari-Matti Latvala and Henning Solberg will be nominated to score points at the Rallye Monte Carlo, while
Matthew Wilson will be in the third car.
Henning reckons that his deal to compete with the Stobart could be the making of him as he looks to try and emulate the achievements of his brother, Petter. Furthermore while he realises he will need to time to settle in and get to grips with the 2006 spec Focus WRC car, he is looking forward to his first competitive outing in it this weekend.
“I am very excited and looking forward to this year and it really is a sense of my career moving forward,” said the Norwegian, who took in the event for the first time last year. “I was happy with how this rally went for me last year. It was my first rally on asphalt and I set some really good times; but it was very disappointing to retire on the very last stage. I’m looking forward to the rally, but I really want to try and settle in and get used to the car. It’s my first rally with the new car and the new team and I think if things go well together, it will be very good for the future.”
