Q & A with Petter Solberg
Q. How was the test?
Petter Solberg: It was good, went very well. We did two days and two hours - two days really. The weather was good all of the time, sunny, but we found two good roads: one smooth and one quite abrasive, so we have a good idea of how the car is working.
Q. What do you think of the car?
PS: It's very good. It's really enjoyable to drive. It's going to take me some time to find the limit, though. Don't expect me to be setting the times on Friday, I'll be building up to it and then pushing more on the second and third day. It seems quite a complex car, one where you need to find the rhythm.
Q. How does it compare with the Xsara?
PS: That's hard to say. I never drove the Xsara on asphalt, so I can't really compare. But let's say I'm very happy to be in this car. The Focus and the C4 are a class ahead of the Xsara.
Q. What are you hoping for from Catalunya?
PS: A podium is where I would like to be. It's going to be hard to beat Sebastien [Loeb] and Dani [Sordo]. It will also be interesting to see what the Fords are looking like now [after the long test]. This will be interesting for me next year.
Q. Citroen Racing team principal Olivier Quesnel seems confident that he has you for next year?
PS: I'm definitely his for the factory team!
Q. He seems pretty sure he has you as a customer. Does this mean you won't be in a Ford next year?
PS: We will see. First I need to find the money before anything else next year. We'll see what happens in the next two rallies.
Q. Is it fair to say your main focus is on Rally GB?
PS: Yes. I want to improve through this event [Catalunya] and then focus on Rally GB.
Q. What can you do on Rally GB?
PS: Well, I'm going to push like hell. I've got the big balls talking to you now about Rally GB, but I have to have a go on that event. I know the rally, I know the place and I've won there. That's where I want to push again.
Q. Everything's falling into place again for Petter Solberg, isn't it?
PS: For the first time since 2004, everything feels good. This is the closest I have been [to winning] since 2004. It's been too bad, but don't forget I had great cars to drive in 2001, 02, 03 and 04, but since then it was difficult - until now!
Q. Have you spoken to Sebastien [Loeb] about the car?
PS: I spoke to him as soon as I made the decision. I wanted to know the difference between the 2008 and 2009 cars, and we chatted for a while.
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