Petter Solberg returns to the FIA World Rallycross Championship for the 2017 season with works backing for his PSRX squad from Volkswagen and Johan Kristoffersson joining him as his team-mate for this year.
Solberg has contested all three seasons of World RX in his Citroen DS3 and secured the 2014 and 2015 Driver’s titles in the car, however the Norwegian made it clear during the 2016 season that 2017 was a year of change so that he could step up to the challenge of competing against the liked of Ford and Peugeot. Now allied with Volkswagen, the three time FIA World Champion has the chance to reclaim the title that Mattias Ekstrom beat him to in 2016.
“Honestly, this is what I have dreamed of,” said Solberg. “We have worked so hard on putting this deal together, it’s taken a while to get there, but I truly believe that we now have such a strong force for this year’s championship. To be working with them in World Rallycross is just incredible.”
Petter Solberg will drive a Volkswagen Polo Supercar alongside Johan Kristoffersson in the 2017 World RX season. Credit: Volkswagen RX Sweden
Kristoffersson has been a fast growing talent in Rallycross, entering World RX in 2015 and winning on his debut at the World RX of Portugal that year in the VW Kristoffersson Motorsport squad before taking his second win in 2016 at the World RX of France for Volkswagen RX Sweden. With the Swedish driver joining forces with Solberg for 2017, PSRX has an impressive lineup to challenge for both the Drivers Championship and the Teams Championship.
“We have a really strong team with Johan coming in the other car,” said Solberg. “He’s a really strong driver with incredible potential. It would be an incredible honour for me to try to take the manufacturer crown as team owner – that really would be the dream.”
Kristoffersson also spoke positively regarding the new collaboration with Solberg.
“I am incredibly proud to be part of this extremely exciting project with Petter and Volkswagen Sweden – it’s a dream come true in every way. Together we will do everything in our power to achieve success – I intend to grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with both hands.”
Solberg is expected to begin testing the VW Supercar next week and is looking forward to this season
“For so many years, we have struggled like hell to face everybody else, but now we’re really ready to take on the world.”
