With the first of the final four rounds of the 2015 FIA World Rallycross Championship taking place this weekend at the Barcelona Grand Prix Circuit in Spain, 2014 WorldRX Champion Petter Solberg has set his targets to secure a second title.
The SDRX driver made his game-plan for Loheac clear as he had missed out on qualifying for the Supercar Final in both Norway and Canada: To come out fighting… and the result was second place in the Loheac Final, a result Solberg was happy with.
“I told you before World RX of France that I wanted to be more like James Bond,” said Solberg. “Don’t we all…Well, it kind of worked. We came up with a plan and I executed it. Pernilla – M – was delighted!
“And the good news is that I didn’t have to employ any of the skullduggery Q came up with. That’s not to say I won’t be ready to fight fire with fire when we get to Barcelona though.”
However the 2003 WRC Champion has set his goals clearly for the final four rounds, beginning this weekend in Spain.
“But we’re really getting to the sharp end of the business now. Within the team we have set ourselves the target of 21 points per race, we know that can be enough and that’s all I’m looking at. There’s so much energy, planning and focus on every single aspect of what we’re doing right now, it’s actually quite a relief to get into the car and drive,” explained Solberg
“I was desperate to take my second ever FIA World Championship last year and I did that. But now I’m even more desperate to take back-to-back FIA World Rallycross Championship titles. Of course, if the door opens for the win then I’ll be straight through it, but I’m just not willing to risk everything – I know you heard this story from me a few times and I know it’s maybe a little bit boring”
Solberg goes on to recognise the challenge ahead as WorldRX moves to another new venue for the 2015 season, meaning everybody starts on a level footing.
“We’re heading to a new track with the Circuit de Catalunya this week, so we don’t have too much data to work on for the car set-up. It’s always good to go somewhere new and, for sure, the organisers look like they have come up with a really entertaining layout,” Solberg explains.
“I’m sure it’s going to be another fantastic race and in a really beautiful part of the world. I competed here for many years in the World Rally Championship and Barcelona is a city I always really enjoy. Of course, most people know Barca for one thing: its football team and now one player: Lionel Messi. He’s an incredible player and if we can score our goals anything like he does in this city, we’ll be onto a winner on Sunday.”
Finally the SDRX driver addresses an issue close to his heart.
“Just before I go, I just wanted to say some words about the tragedy which hit Spanish motorsport earlier this month. You all know how close to my heart rallying is – it’s my first love – so when I heard about the spectators being killed and injured on the La Coruna Rally, my heart went out to them and their families.
“Everybody in PSRX sends our thoughts and prayers to the families of those killed and our best wishes for a full recovery to those hurt in this terrible accident.”
