The decision was made yesterday, and the new codriver is 41 year old Chris Patterson. Chris started as a codriver in 1998, and has been alongside many drivers, like Nasser Al-Attiyand Kris Meeke, for the past years. He is 5 times Middle-East Champion and won the 2006 PWRC.
Petter Solberg: I am very happy with Chris as my new codriver, and I am confident that our partnership will be good in the car. We did a really tough test yesterday, and Chris delivered perfectly all the time. He has a long experience as a codriver, and that was really important to me. I know it will be a challenge in Bulgaria, but we are both more than ready for the rally there and to fight in the lead.
Chris Patterson: It feels like a big task to be asked to replace a codriver like Phil Mills, but when the offer came from Petter after the test yesterday, I knew I just had to do it. I’ve been a codriver for 12 years, and hopefully my experience will help me now, as the first rally is coming up in a few days. I so look forward to this job, and is 110% ready for the challenge!
The new duo starts with testing in Bulgaria this weekend, and the first rally is in Bulgaria 8. – 11. July 2010.