Solberg: Corsica 'my best win'

"I almost don't have words to describe it," said Solberg. "The way I am feeling now is just incredible. To go from such a low on Thursday to such a high now is almost unbelievable. Once the rally got underway things went completely according to plan."

Solberg is naturally optimistic for the last two rounds, which start with the Catalunya Rally this weekend. "I have a really good feeling now about the rest of the season," said last year's Rally Great Britain winner. "I've already proved my performance in Wales and we've now shown that anything can happen on tarmac."

"You really had to see the state the car was in on Thursday to believe it," said team principal David Lapworth. "To have pulled a win out of the bag here is a huge credit to both the team and Petter and Phil Mills. Quite simply, it's a fantastic result."

Meanwhile Carlos Sainz was naturally delighted to move into the lead of the drivers' championship with Citroen. Sainz earned himself a three-point lead by charging past Francois Duval on the last stage in Corsica.

"Nothing better could happen for me," said Sainz. "I will start in Catalunya, my home rally, in the leading position. And the team too." Citroen now leads the manufacturers' race by eight points.

Sebastien Loeb will again start as favourite in Catalunya, having proved himself the quickest man on both wet and dry tarmac in Corsica. Only an early accident cost him victory. But although he is still in the championship hunt, there could be team decisions in Spain. Sainz is six points ahead of Loeb and one may say he has the better title prospects.

"We couldn't be more motivated for what's coming next," said team boss Guy Frequelin. Catalunya shakedown goes ahead on Thursday.