Mads Ostberg will lead the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team’s bid for glory in the 2013 FIA World Rally Championship. He spoke to WRC.com following a whirlwind few days.
Where were you and what were you doing when you knew the Qatar M-Sport World Rally Team drive would be yours?
“Nothing was 100 per cent clear until last Friday when I understood it was getting closer. We were working to find a solution but nothing was clear. Then on Friday I was very happy but I couldn’t tell anybody until it was made official on Monday. To be honest the last few details of the contract was done by email.”
How significant is this deal for your career?
“It’s very important to continue developing. So far I’ve done everything as a privateer. I have learned a lot and done some great things but there comes a point when it gets more difficult and, to be honest, the development could have stopped. So what has happened is really important. I cannot say if the development will now continue but our thoughts are about learning more, developing and trying to go faster.”
Going faster means more wins and possibly the championship. Is that something you are thinking about?
“Joining a factory team with all the support you get is fantastic. First we will start the season trying to fight for wins but the whole situation is new to me. Okay, I know the car and I know the team but the situation is different as I am not driving for myself any more. The focus first has to be on settling in then if I manage to get some victories I can look at fighting for a good overall position in the second half of the year.”
How long is the contract for and how much testing will you get?
“It’s a one-year contract and we will get the testing that is allowed. One of the big things for me is the testing I am going to get.”
Are you feeling under pressure to deliver?
“There will be some pressure but I will definitely be able to cope. I have been in a private team where there is no pressure but when it became clear from Citroen and Malcolm [Wilson, the M-Sport boss] that they wanted to see results from me there became some pressure.”
You were under consideration for the Citroen drive alongside Mikko Hirvonen. When Citroen chose Sordo did you think your chances of a ‘factory’ drive were over?
“Not at all. I had been working closely with M-Sport and talking a lot to them. It was not like Citroen was plan A and M-Sport plan B. They were both plan A. With M-Sport I know the car and the team and these are important points.”
There’s a spare seat in the team alongside you and Nasser Al-Attiyah. Who would you like the team to sign?
“It’s up to the team to take that decision and I am sure they will take a better decision than me. There are lots of rumours going around who it could be and I am sure it will be a good driver. It could have been nice to have Petter [Solberg] with me for an all-Norwegian team but the rumours are that he might not be in the WRC.”
What’s the plan now - a Monte-Carlo test, right?
“We test in France from 10/11 December. It’s a rally I don’t know but we have the experience of the team to help us. Then after Monte-Carlo we have Sweden when I will step up a few gears.”
Have you had chance to celebrate your deal yet?
“There was no point celebrating on Friday because I was on my own but next Friday I have invited all of my old Adapta team, the mechanics and everyone who has helped me get this far. We will have a celebration then.”