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Q & A with Malcolm Wilson

Q. How was you meeting with Petter Solberg on Friday?

Malcolm Wilson: I must admit it was a really nice refreshing chat. I have never seen Petter outside the rally environment since he left [the team]. So it was really nice to get the chance to talk.

Q. Was it a long meeting?

MW: It was. I had no restrictions on the time, so he and Pernilla [Solberg, Petter's wife] got here at 0830 and left after lunch. We put a few options to him for Spain and GB this year and some for next year. They need time to think about it and see if it's what they want to do and how they want to do it. A lot of things were discussed. There were a lot of different options and ways to do it. I guess the ball is back in Petter's court now.

Q. How much can Petter help you win championships this year?

MW: I don't think in real terms it can really help on the drivers' front. It's quite clear what Mikko has got to do. If he finishes ahead of Sebastien [Loeb] on every rally, he's going to win the championship. It's a different situation looking at manufacturers and these are the things we were discussing with Petter. His sponsor is a transport company, so it's not really possible. We discussed lots of options and we have come up with what we think is the right plan, but it's now a case of him looking to see if its viable and the way he wants to do it.

Q. How much would M-Sport and/or Ford be willing to help Petter?

MW: For sure, we would like to see him in a Ford and we will help where we can. He hates the word commercial, but, in real terms, that's what this deal is.

Q. So he's not going to replace Jari-Matti Latvala for Spain or GB - like Francois Duval did last year?

MW: No, we're not going to be doing that. I'm happy with the two drivers I have in the team, plus he [Solberg] still wants to do run his own team.

Q. If he runs his own team, what's the benefit for you?

MW: The benefit is that he's in a Ford and that's good for us, given his tremendous worldwide following. From the manufacturers' point of view he really can't help, but it's the chance to have him in a Ford and why not?

Q. Has he tested?

MW: He did earlier on in the year, but not recently.

Q. Will he test soon?

MW: No. Not unless he decides to go the route. He knows enough about the car and the track record is there. He knows that himself. So, for sure, if the deal goes ahead, he would test in Spain and in GB.

Q. What are the odds on him being in a Ford before the end of the year, better than 50-50?

MW: As I say, it was a really positive meeting. But I understand, it's his decision at the end of the day.

Q. Which car could he have?

MW: We would look to run him in a 2008-specification car, we can't put him in the '09 car.

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