Petter Solberg heads in to the 2014 FIA World Rallycross Championship this weekend in high spirits and has his sights set firmly on the top spot.
With a brand new Citroen DS3 Supercar and Alexander Hvaal as his team mate, the Norwegian feels a lot more prepared than last season.
“As we used to say a lot when I was rallying, the new car is definitely an evolution rather than a revolution,” says Solberg.
“But I know it’s going to be fast. If I compare where we are now with where we were at this point last year, it’s absolutely a night and day difference. In fact, looking back at it, there’s no way we really should have started the season last year. But we did and we were fast. So I’m hoping that this year can be even better.”
2013 wasn’t a bad year, Solberg took 16 heat wins; but now a winter of preparation has given him a positive outlook on the season ahead.
“The opposition is huge this year; as big as it has ever been in my career and perhaps bigger, but I wouldn’t be here unless I thought we had a chance to win,
“I’m totally focussed on that: to the point that I actually moved myself and my family into the workshop – we sleep there – in order to spend more time getting the car exactly right.”
Looking ahead to the season opener in Montalegre, Portugal, Solberg appreciates the Rallycross fans and acknowledges the importance they play in the series.
“I’m really pleased that we’re starting this exciting new season in Portugal, because the Portuguese fans are absolutely legendary,
“Our aim is to go flat-out and to give them something to remember. With all the increased investment in rallycross, and the great efforts from IMG, I’m sure it’s going to be a brilliant show. And the really exciting part is that this is just the start: there’s so much more to come.”
