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Mills steps down as Solberg's co-driver

Phil Mills has decided to retire from co-driving with Petter Solberg in the World Rally Championship

The 47-year-old Briton has contested 152 WRC rounds with Solberg, winning 13 events and the 2003 world title together. But he has decided to step down to concentrate on other areas of his life. He has built up a successful motorsport preparation business in near his home in Wales.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, but I feel the time has come to concentrate on other parts of my life," said Mills.

"We have competed on 152 events over the past 11 years and it has become more of a way of life than a job. I have enjoyed every single kilometre through the highs and lows that came along and I am sure Petter will win many more events in the future, given the right circumstances.

"I will miss the whole WRC scene very much and wish Petter and the team very great success in the future."

Solberg, who has only tackled three rounds of the WRC without Mills since they got together in 1999, is yet to find a replacement.

"Phil is leaving the team and I feel really sad about that," he said. "I think it will be really difficult to find a co-driver with his skills to join me in my car again.

"We have been together for so many years, I've had him by my side for most of my career, so this is a tough break for me. Looking back on what we have achieved together, I feel especially sorry as I was sure our next win would happen this season and I was hoping to have Phil by my side when it happens.

"He has been the one who has meant the most for me through my driving career. Our relationship must have been the strongest between driver and co-driver ever!"

The Solberg and Mills partnership was one of the WRC's longest standing, but the record remains for Carlos Sainz and Luis Moya, who competed on 161 rounds of the series together.

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