by Rob Wilkins.
Former WRC works driver, Alister McRae has warned those writing off
Petter Solberg that they would be stupid to underestimate him.
Although Subaru and Solberg have had a tough start to the new season, the Norwegian was back on form in Mexico last weekend, leading the event until near the end of day two and eventually finishing second, to score his first points of the year. Solberg now lies fourth in the drivers' championship, 18 points behind current leader, Sebastien Loeb, with 3 rounds down and 13 to go.
"I always keep an eye on things, but it is hard to watch when you want to be involved in it," he told
Crash.net Radio when asked about this year's
FIA World Rally Championship, following news he will compete in the Chinese Rally Championship with Wanyu Rally Team.
"The Ford's obviously have had a very good start to season and then Loeb was back on winning form in Mexico. You can't discount Petter though, I am sure he is going to go well during the rest of the year."
McRae though was sad to see Skoda and Mitsubishi can their factory efforts at the end of 2005. Indeed the Scot was involved with the factory Mitsubishi squad in 2002, and like Gigi Galli this year, was left in the lurch in 2003, when they took a sabbatical.
"It is disappointing for the championship when any manufacturers' go," he continued, "especially Mitsubishi who have been in there for so long. They did pull out the year I was with them also - and you would have said that the car was becoming competitive. I'm sure they would have had good results this year.
"Everybody knew Skoda was in the process of making a decision at end of last year. To pull out after the results Colin showed the car was capable of was a shame. It is disappointing to loss manufacturers.
"It is great though that Suzuki will be coming into the sport [in 2007]. They have been doing the Junior Championship and when you watch that team in the JWRC they look very professional. I'm sure they will do a good job with the WRC car and of course to get another manufacturer in there is very important."
As for McRae's other plans this year, in addition to the Chinese Rally Championship, he is also considering doing a few rallies in Britain, as well as trying to do a WRC event or two. Thus far though, he has only been able to confirm that he will do the WRC candidate event in South Africa.
