Solberg not fazed by possible Burns return

Norwegian star Petter Solberg has said that he would welcome back Richard Burns to Subaru if the Englishman returned to the team, but that it would be "perfect" if his current team-mate Tommi Makinen decided to stay with the squad rather than retire at the end of this season

Mar 13, 2003, 11:15 AM

Subaru boss David Lapworth said that week that he would consider resigning Burns should Makinen choose to retire. The Englishman is in the final year of his current contract with Peugeot.

"It would be good fun if Tommi decided to stay," said Solberg. "There is a good feeling in the team at the moment, it's perfect.

"But, OK, if Richard is coming in, no problem. It doesn't really make any difference to what I have to do. I don't mind who my team-mate is, as long as they can smile, be happy and have a good team spirit."

The Norwegian, who finished runner-up in last season's championship, has yet to finish on the podium this season, but Solberg hopes his luck will change on next month's Rally New Zealand.

"It's a shame because the season has been going not so well so I need to score some points," he said. "But I'm looking forward to New Zealand, it's going to be good. This year it's going to be very close."