Mads Ostberg says he is relishing the fight with fellow Norwegian Petter Solberg for the final podium spot on Wales Rally GB.
The M-Sport Stobart driver reached the service halt in Builth Wells with a margin of 13.7s over Solberg, his former mentor.
“It’s good to be fighting with Petter and hopefully I can get the better of the old man,” said Ostberg, who is chasing his second podium finish in the world championship. “It’s not easy but things are going well now and the car is fine. We try our best to be on the podium.”
Solberg lost time on stage seven when his privateer Citroen suffered a front-right spring failure before he picked up a front-left puncture later in the stage, which he completed 40.7s slower than stage winner Loeb.
“Just after the start the main spring on the right broke and then we had a problem with the damper,” said Solberg. “We also got a puncture but that was not the main problem. It’s bad because we were leading after the first split but that’s how it is. We will just try to come back.”