Oliver Solberg withdraws from Sardinia

Décidément, les ennuis s’accumulent pour Hyundai Motorsport. Deux jours après avoir lost Ole Christian Veiby from remainder of WRC2 campaign due to a breached Covid-19 protocol Rally of Portugal, it is Oliver Solberg’s turn to withdraw from the next round in Sardinia (June 4-6)

I'm devastated to say we won't be competing at @Rally_d_Italia next week due to FIA COVID-19 protocols… I have tested negative repeatedly since Monday and it's really hard to take, but we have these rules for a reason and we respect them.

More: https://t.co/nuJVx3bQ3k pic.twitter.com/YGeHSpajHM

— Oliver Solberg (@OliverSolberg01) May 26, 2021

The 19-year-old Norwegian withdrew because his father Petter has Covid-19according to a result from May 24. The two men have been around each other in recent days, and Oliver Solberg is therefore a contact case, even if his PCR tests are negative.

Oliver Solberg should have compete in the Sardinia Rally aboard an i20 Coupe WRC. “I am beyond disappointed. I'm a little devastated", indicates the son of the 2003 world rally champion.

“My dad is doing well despite a slight fever and I think of him a lot. It's hard to swallow, but my second participation at the wheel of a WRC will come later. We must follow these rules (related to Covid-19) for a good reason, that of stopping the spread of this virus. 

My family completely accepts what the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the organizers of the event, the Italian government and health professionals tell us. The most important thing is to keep the population healthy. »

The father reacted on social networks: “I am so sorry for Oliver and for the team, as well as for Hyundai Motorsport who have done a lot of work to get Oliver ready for the rally. »

I just feel so very sorry for @OliverSolberg01 that he can't compete in Sardinia – and of course sorry for the whole team, as well as @HMSGOfficial for all the work they did to prepare for Oliver to do the rally https://t.co/ZoZ3Oz4Tm1 pic.twitter.com/46ByhnP37E

— Petter Solberg (@Petter_Solberg) May 26, 2021