Skoda driver Solberg leads the WRC2 standings ahead of the fast gravel event in Central Finland. Solberg has prepared well for the competition and is coming off a class victory in the Rally Latvia two weeks ago.
However, winning the Rally Finland is easier said than done. The challenge is tough, as the competition includes not only the regular class drivers but also some strong domestic competitors.
“We have some extra competitors here who want to do a good rally. For them, it’s maybe not as important for the championship, but they want to do a good rally. Jari-Matti (Latvala) and (Mikko) Heikkilä and all these guys, they will definitely be fast,” Solberg predicted.
“So we have to do our best. I think the points are for sure the most important. But the goal is to win, of course. I won the RC2 last year, so the goal is to win this year.”
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala is participating in the WRC2 competition with a Toyota Rally2 car. Solberg made a wild prediction about the Finnish veteran before the start of the race.
“I know he’s crazy and he is flat out all the time! And I think if he gets the feeling he can be very fast. I think he can be one of the main competitors, to be honest,” Solberg assessed.
Latvala himself burst into laughter when he heard about Solberg’s comment from RallyJournal.com.
“If I were twenty, the situation would be different. But now I try to keep my cool. Of course, I want to drive and see how fast I can go, but I won’t take any crazy risks. I have to remember that I’m not building a career here or trying to prove anything. It would be great to reach the finish line,” Latvala summarised.
