Matthew Wilson says he cannot wait for the 2011 World Rally Championship to start, even though he only has a drive firmed up for the opening event of the season in Sweden next month.
The 23-year-old Briton will pilot an M-Sport Stobart Ford World Rally Team Fiesta RS WRC on the Karlstad-based snow contest alongside long-term navigator Scott Martin.
However, funding constraints mean that Wilson is not sure when his next rally will be after Sweden or even if he will be able to manage a full programme of events in 2011.
“We’re still talking but the only event I know I’m doing for sure is Sweden and even that has been a bit last-minute,” said Wilson, who placed seventh in last year’s WRC title race. “It’s difficult to know what’s going to happen but hopefully we can work something out.”
Wilson, who has conducted significant testing in the Fiesta RS WRC, insists he is not prepared to let the lack of a concrete programme get the better of him.
“It’s not a case of being frustrated or getting disappointed,” said Wilson. “It’s going to be an exciting season and I obviously want to do every rally, particularly as I know the potential of the new car and really liked it when I drove it.”
“But I’ve had fantastic support from the Stobart Group over the years and any support they can give me is always a bonus. We’re still discussing things for this year and hopefully we can work something out.”
Wilson believes the WRC in 2011 will be a more evenly matched than it has been in the past with advent of the new-generation World Rally Cars.
“The car felt more natural to me to drive and because there is only going to be one spec of car available at first then it will be more of a level playing field. Hopefully I can be a part of it.”