Ford's
Petter Solberg has said he will be going all out for victory on Rally de Espana this week.
Solberg will have added reason to push too as the event will mark the end of Ford's factory involvement in the
World Rally Championship, following the shock announcement last month that the 'Blue Oval' will withdraw from the sport at the end of the year.
With that in mind, 'Hollywood' is doubly determined to really go for it and while he is also in a three-way fight for third place in the drivers' championship, he added that is not his priority.
“I really enjoyed the [pre-event test] work we did and it's given me extra confidence for the rally,” said the Norwegian ahead of his 11th start in Spain. “My target is clear though – to go there and try to win.
“That's more important to me than chasing a medal for finishing third in the [drivers'] championship. If I take third in the points, then that's a bonus, but a gold medal for winning the rally would mean more than a bronze in the championship.
“It's the final round and both titles are decided, so there will be a lot of people with nothing to lose who will be pushing hard.
"It's a great rally and the asphalt is fast and smooth. It's the closest the WRC comes to competing on a race circuit.”
Team-mate
Jari-Matti Latvala meanwhile is also hoping to win on what will be his final event with the M-Sport-run outfit, before switching to Volkswagen for 2013. He warned, however, that the opening day will be crucial.
“It's a dream of mine to win an asphalt rally and I've always thought that Spain could give me the best opportunity. But to be able to challenge I must be in a good position after the opening day on gravel,” he confirmed.
“A strong first leg will give me a platform from which I can go out and do my best over the last two days on asphalt.”