On the limit Solberg happy with podium finish in France.

PHOTO CREDIT: FIA World Rallycross Media.

The 2018 World RX of France started off well for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver Petter Solberg, who had finished third fastest in the opening qualifying round and ended the first day in fourth place overall.

Solberg did not have the easiest of Sunday's where he ended Q3 in nine place overall, but fought back in Q4 to claim the second fastest time behind his teammate. The Norwegian went on to claim a podium finish after starting on the last row of the grid (in the final). 

“I am very happy for this result. I really wanted to win here, but this was a tough race weekend. The other cars had a lot of pace and it wasn’t easy for us out there," said Solberg. "Some of the qualifying was not so nice, a bit of traffic coming and it was a bit frustrating at times, but you have to stay calm, stick with the plan and come to the semi-finals and the final."

The PSRX Volkswagen Sweden driver started on the front row of the grid alongside Bakkerud [EKS Audi Sport] and ended semi-final 2 in third place, securing a position in the final. “The semi wasn’t so good, but everything is possible in the last race," the Norwegian said.

"There was lot of movement from the cars ahead of me in the second corner of the final, I was looking to find a chance, but in the end the joker was the right decision," Solberg explained. "I got in there and pushed like hell, when Johan came out of his joker, we were so close."

It was only a matter of time until the three cars ahead, would move off to take the joker lap, and this would be Solberg's only opportunity to gain ground. 

"We were just waiting to see what would they do. When the chance came, we were ready," says Solberg. "I was absolutely on the limit in those last four corners when the top three went to the joker." 

"To make two cars to the podium is a fantastic result for PSRX Volkswagen Sweden and the Polo R Supercar."