Petter Solberg: Why I signed for Ford

I'm sitting in the airport and I've got a headache. But I've got a headache with a smile!

I'm a Ford works driver again and I can't begin to tell you how good that sounds.

The head has nothing to do with drink or anything like that, it's just the pure excitement and adrenaline of the last few days. I tested the Fiesta RS WRC for the first time yesterday [Thursday], and since the announcement that I'm part of the Ford World Rally Team for next year, I've had about 200 messages on the phone and I don't know how many emails!

I think all of you readers of AUTOSPORT have a good idea of how tough the past few years have been for me as a private driver. When Subaru stopped at the end of 2008, I had a choice: I could sit down, feel sorry for myself and wait for the phone to ring - or I could pick up the phone and call people - and that's what I did.

Solberg had his first test in the Fiesta WRC in France on Thursday

I had no idea running a team and driving would be so hard, though. I'm definitely coming back to Ford with a better understanding of the management side of things, and an even bigger respect for what Malcolm Wilson has done and keeps doing.

So, after spending every minute trying to sort out entry fees, sponsorship deals, tyres, fuel and all sorts of things, what am I going to do with my time? Sleep. It feels like I haven't really slept for three years.

And, after a good night's sleep, I'm going to train. And train and train.

Malcolm has given me this chance and I'm not going to waste it. Once you have been on the outside and away from a works seat, it makes you really understand how much it means to be in there.

I'm not allowed to talk about the Fiesta and how it felt in the test yesterday, not until the New Year. But trust me AUTOSPORT readers, you'll be the first to know. What I can say is that I did 300 kilometres of testing (186 miles) and everything went well. It was a great start.

As much as I'm looking forward to getting back to the team, I'm also really looking forward to working with Jari-Matti [Latvala]. I've known him for a long time now and he's a proper guy. I've got big respect for him and Miikka [Anttila, co-driver]. They are both serious competitors, but they're both guys with their feet on the floor. Jari is the number one driver at Ford for next season and I fully understand that. I am the number two, but together our goal is to win the manufacturers' championship for Ford.

Solberg last drove for Ford and M-Sport in 2000, before joining Subaru © LAT

As well as that, I want to support Jari in his dream to become world champion.

That dream is one we all have, but one man has stood in the way for the past eight years: Sebastien Loeb. There's no doubt that beating Loeb and Mikko [Hirvonen] and Citroen next year is going to be a tough job, but we can do it. Loeb is fast, very fast and he's done some big, big things in the sport, but at the same time Jari and I can make a good team and win rallies.

I can't wait for the start of the season. Driving yesterday has really got me in the mood for the Monte Carlo Rally. Unlike some of the other drivers in the WRC, I did the Monte last year, so I can remember very well just what a fantastic event it is - and what a great place it is to start the world championship.

Before Monte, though, I have work to do with training. I will be working like hell to get myself ready to make sure that I'm in the best possible position for the first rally. This is a new start and I'm going to make the best of it.

As some of you might remember, I started my professional career with Malcolm and with Ford. I left Ford in the middle of 2000, but now I'm back. I'm not interested in looking back or thinking or worrying about what I did back in 2000. The only thing that concerns me now is the future and my future with Ford.

I honestly couldn't be more excited about the year we've got coming - and the fact that I'm back with Malcolm. You can never forget the person who gave you your first big break.

But right now I'm still sitting in the airport waiting for my flight home. And, to be honest, I'm still pinching myself. It's incredible to be back. I'm like a big kid at Christmas.

Hang on, it really is Christmas! Have a good one, AUTOSPORT readers, thank you for your support and I'll be back with you to talk about the Fiesta very early in the New Year.