Solberg will drive his usual Citroen
DS3 WRC at the Bettega Rallysprint, part of the Bologna Motorshow,
tomorrow (Saturday 10th December). The annual event is run
in memory of Attilio Bettega, the former Lancia driver and winner of
six World Rally podiums who tragically lost his life while competing
on the 1985 Tour de Corse, his Lancia Rally 037 veering off the road
on the fourth stage of the rally.
This weekend may herald the end of
Solberg's Citroen privateer career, after campaigning the Xsara WRC,
C4 WRC and the DS3 WRC, all in privateer form, since 2009. In his 2
years under the PSWRT banner, he has scored 12 podiums, including 5
second place finishes, but sadly no wins. In recent times, he has
struggled to find funding, though has struggled on.
However, in an interview with
Motorsport News, Solberg revealed he doesn't want to continue in
privateer form. He currently has no plans in place for 2012, and with
both MINI's and Citroen's seats full, his only option for a 2012
drive lies with Ford. Volkswagen have not announced their second
driver, to partner Sebastian Ogier, but should he sign with the
German firm, he would likely not drive competitively in 2012.
“I have one chance for next year and
that is with Malcolm [Wilson, the Ford team boss]. I don’t want to
do a privateer team any more.” he said.
Other big names from the world of rally
are due to start the rally, with both Jari-Matti Latvala (Ford Fiesta
RS WRC) and Kris Meeke (MINI John Cooper Works WRC) looking to put up
a good fight for the Norwegian. MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso will
drive a Fiesta too, with World Motocross Champion Tony Cairoli
driving a Citroen DS3 WRC. Experienced Italians Luca Pedersoli and
Piero Longhi will both drive WRC cars, with Pedersoli driving a DS3
WRC for the first time, a car he hopes to be contesting selected WRC
rounds in next year, and Longhi driving a John Cooper Works WRC.
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