Since the start of the FIA World Rally Championship back in 2014, Petter Solberg has been one of the big talking points of the series.
However when WRC rival Sébastien Loeb joined the series in 2016, everyone wanted to see a head to head battle between the former WRC Champions. When they race together they race hard and fair, but there’s more to the rivalry as Petter explains.
Solberg returns to Loheac ready to do battle with Loeb on home turf. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
“A win anywhere means everything, but the rivalry with Sébastien is a healthy one, like it’s always been. It’s funny how things change down the years,” explains Solberg.
“When we were both in the World Rally Championship, Sébastien and I were fighting hard. We were both at the start of our career, but we were pushing hard; we were young and really trying to find success and to find our way to the top in the sport.”
With Loeb being a nine time WRC Champion now looking for his first World RX Drivers title and Solberg being a three time FIA World Champion (One in WRC, two in World RX) looking for a third World RX title himself, the pressure is still on.
Solberg is ready for the challenge at the “Temple of Rallycross”. Credit: IMG / FIA World RX
Both the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver and the Team Peugeot Total driver will go head to head for victory in 2018 World RX of France, however they’ll also have a good time during the weekend as well.
“Things are a bit different now. We’ve both won some world championships – admittedly he’s still got a few more than I have, but I’m working on that!” explains the PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver.
“But we’re more relaxed about the pressure and everything that comes with the sport. Don’t misunderstand me, we both want to win and we’ll push like hell for that, but the relationship with Séb is really nice. We can talk about what we did a few years ago, enjoy each other’s company and then we go out and fight for the first corner. I love this.”
