Petter Solberg is the new WRC world champion!

Chai · Nov 10, 2003

The domination of Peugeot and Citroën at the beginning of the season lead most people to believe that one of their drivers was going to win the championship. Almost nobody would have thought that a driver from another team could beat the French teams' drivers.

However, Petter Solberg's second half of the season was exceptional and the championship battle turned out to be extremely interesting. Four drivers still had a chance to win before the last rally of the season. Hard to imagine a more exciting finale !

Richard Burns withdrawn from the race and Carlos Sainz out of the event in the third stage of the rally, Sebastien Loeb and Petter Solberg were left alone to fight for the title.

However the two men had many parameters to consider and this influenced the outcome of the duel. Solberg had no alternative: he needed to finish in front of Loeb. One mistake by the Subaru driver and the title would go to Loeb. Solberg had to attack to stay ahead of Loeb but needed to avoid making a mistake at the same time.

Loeb knew that if the Norwegian managed to stay in front of him by being first or second, he was going to win the World Championship. While Solberg could concentrate 100% on his goal, Sebastien Loeb had the double task of trying to catch Solberg while being careful to bring enough points for his team to win the Constructors' Championship, which was Citroën's main goal. Sebastien Loeb could not afford to push too hard and retire.

According to the British bookmakers, Petter Solberg was the favourite to win. The Norwegian won here last year and the Subaru with its Pirelli tyres were known to be competitive on this kind of surface.

Solberg was able to use his car's potential to the fullest. The Norwegian got thirteen fastest stage times out of a total of eighteen. The 29-year-old driver becomes World Champion, winning four races this season.

Four-time World Champion Tommi Makinen took part in his last WRC event. Colin McRae will not be back next season as well but in his case, a return in the future is a possibility.

Colin McRae achieved a good result in his home event, finishing in fourth place. His season, however, was not as good. The team expected Colin to be fighting for victories but the Scotsman was never able to do so. His second place finish at the Monte-Carlo was his only podium finish this season.

Tommi Makinen had a difficult season as well. The Finn was dominated by his teammate and only finished twice on the podium this year. Even if this season was not his most successful, Tommi will remain the reference for the end of the last decade. An outstanding driver leaves the sport today.
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Falcone · Nov 11, 2003

damn....was hoping Sebastien Loeb would win.

Chai · Nov 11, 2003

Sebastien Loeb is only inhis first full year of WRC, I hate rookie winning any title. Give them more time. They will win sooner or later.

zy · Nov 11, 2003

cai is also a WRC fan ???

Dashken · Nov 11, 2003

He is "anything-that-moves-fast" fans.

Chai · Nov 11, 2003

Nope, I hate other forms of motorsport.

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Petter Solberg is the new WRC world champion!

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Petter Solberg is the new WRC world champion!

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