Q & A with Petter Solberg

During a visit to the Autosport International Show, he spoke about last month's shock news, his search for a new drive, and the current state of the WRC.

Q. It was a shock for everyone when Subaru withdrew from the WRC. How did you take the news?

Petter Solberg: I feel really sorry for Subaru and all the mechanics, it is a tough thing. I want to get back as soon as possible but it happened so quickly so it's not so easy to plan anything. I got a phone call on the Saturday and had a meeting on the Monday. But that's it, you just have to look forward, think of positive things, and not let yourself get down.

Q. Subaru existed for rallying, they were nowhere as a manufacturer until they won at rallying and then their cars were everywhere. They will come back, won't they?

PS: They built up their brand through rallying and it helped their sales massively. We can see the sales figures have done very well when we have done very well. If they will come back, I don't know, we hope so - everybody. We just have to stay positive and maybe when times are changing....

Q. You drove for Subaru for eight years, that's as long as Colin McRae was with them. It must be hard for you to imagine life without them?

PS: We have a good relationship and I was doing so much work for them besides the rallying. Eight years. It was a huge relationship but that's it now, we have to go forward. I want to drive.

Q. You're here at the show to see what's going on, are you confident of finding something?

PS: I'm not here just for the show, I went to Prodrive yesterday to say hello and thanks to all the mechanics. I appreciated all they had done, there was no point to run away to hide and get angry. Here today, it's a fantastic show, meeting a lot of people... we will see.

There are a lot of things for 2010 but for 2009, I don't know. I'm trying everything I can, but obviously things have to be right. I need the right people around me. I'm not coming just to drive and have fun. I want to fight at the top. It has to be right before I do it, I'm not going to panic.

Q. You're working on a deal for Rally Norway, what are the chances that we'll see you in your home rally?

PS: There are still a few weeks to the rally, so we'll just wait and see. I will do my best, we're working flat out - maybe I have to take my old Celica back!

I have been back home to clear my head a little bit, driving on the ice, and in the forest. We have to try to give our passion for rallying to another manufacturer for the future.

Q. Critics say rallying is struggling, that there aren't enough top drivers and manufacturers. With the change to Super 2000, do you think rallying can return to the glory days.

PS: You can say whatever you want, rallying is a very good sport. The cars are the same as people are driving on the road. Some rules have to be changed, that's for sure. We have to make it easier, more open for other manufacturers.

It's a very cheap sport, the only thing we need is a little bit better promoters to take control of everything and get people even closer to the sport. I think there are a lot of opportunities and you have to fight on.

Q. Is the promotion of the WRC improving?

PS: It goes too slow, they have to react faster. Too many people, too many decisions, too many bosses. You just need to go forward now and think about the manufacturers, the TV, the people, and make it right for them. You just want to be there, making a good show, and make people happy. That's what we try to do.

Q. Is the format correct? Do you like the small stages repeating or would you rather drive longer stages and in the dark?

PS: Honestly, I don't care at all about the format. As long as it's best for the manufacturers and the people who are actually watching it - make it easier for them to see it. That's the main thing. You can do whatever you want, but think about the people holding the sport together, the manufacturers and the spectators - not the people behind the office tables.

Q. Are you going to stick with Phil Mills whatever happens?

PS: Whatever happens, Phil is with me. He is my wife and nobody takes him, you know. He is a great guy, unbelievable, a perfectionist. He has so much passion for what he's doing. I'm very happy with him and he will not walk away.