Solberg linked to C4 for Rally Finland

The Norwegian has been offered a 2008-specification car from Citroen, but Solberg and the French firm have, as yet, been unable to agree terms for the use of the machine on the Jyvaskyla-based event. The certainty, however, is that Solberg will not use the Peugeot 307 WRC he tested in France last week.

"Some things are still being talked about for Finland, it's not sure which car we will be in," said Solberg. "The important thing is that we will be there. There is some talk about a C4, but I don't know what is happening."

Francois Xavier Demaison, the engineer in charge of Solberg's team, added: "The offer came of the C4, the chance to hire a car which would be the same specification as the Citroen Junior Team cars, but I don't think Petter wanted to pay that price.

"At the moment there's a small chance Petter could drive the C4. I would say it's 95 per cent sure he will be in the Xsara WRC and five per cent for the C4."

Whether the deal is done in time for Finland or not, there are stronger rumours that Solberg will be in a C4 before the end of the season - with all three remaining rallies (Australia, Spain and GB) a possibility.

Talking about the Peugeot back-to-back test he ran last week, Solberg said: "The Peugeot is a good car and, in terms of just the engine, it is a little bit stronger. But in terms of the whole package, the Citroen is better.

"Even if I had been offered the Peugeot at the start of the season, I would not have gone for it. In medium rallies, like Cyprus or Greece, the Xsara is okay - but in faster events, like Finland we might struggle to be battling for the podium."

AUTOSPORT.com columnist Solberg is currently at home in Norway promoting his new clothing range and model rally cars and service trucks, which have just gone on sale in Shell petrol stations throughout Norway.