Is Petter Solberg's Future with Proton?

For the 2010 World Rally Championship (WRC) season, the top-tier cars will be receiving a heavy overhaul that is based around current Super 2000 car regulations.

Currently, there are many manufacturers that run S2000 cars in either the Intercontinental Rally Challenge, IRC, or national rally championships. Some include Peugeot, Volkswagen, Fiat, Toyota, and Proton.

Malaysia-based Proton is currently competing in the IRC with Naill McShea, who impressed at the Rally Monte Carlo last month.

Proton has expressed interest in signing Petter Solberg for the 2010 season, in which Proton may either remain in the IRC or also run in the WRC.

In an interview with Crash.net Radio, MEM World Rally Team boss Chris Mellors said, “Petter is obviously looking at next year and what is available for Super 2000 and Super 2000 plus. We would very much like to have him in the car, and we are exploring all possibilities."

Mellors later went on to say, “There are a number of drivers out there that are looking for rides, and it would be great to be able to do something with him. We will see how that progresses.”

Signing with Proton may be in the best interest for Petter. Currently, he has enough capital to run a team and has stated that he may be able to even run 11 events this year.

There is no certainty to that just yet and based on how the market for drivers is as of now, an offer would be more than what Petter could hope for.

If an actual offer is extended from Proton-backed MEM, Solberg should seriously consider it. With the WRC adopting S2000-based cars, more manufacturers may enter the fray, but a ride is not guaranteed.

Such interest in him should not just be flattering, but considered as a serious option.

Niall McShea showed before crashing out of Monte Carlo that the Proton is competitive, so Petter should not shrug it off.