Petter Solberg gave Mads Østberg a real fight in Rally Sweden. But only one of them ended on the podium: Østberg and his co-driver Jonas Andersson.

Arriving in Sweden Østberg wasn’t fond of the road conditions and had to prepare for much more gravel then he originally thought. With some technical problems both Friday and Saturday, Sunday was a perfect day for the duo.
– I was really enjoying today’s stages. We pushed Petter really hard this morning and won two stages something I’m very pleased with, Østberg said.

The battle for the third place in Rally Sweden was alive and kicking from start till end Sunday morning. Østberg had to take 11 seconds off Petter Solberg and started out hard and had a good grip on him after three stages.
– We had 11 seconds between Petter and I this morning and now it’s less than five so for sure we’ll be pushing to get that podium, Østberg said on service.  

Østberg’s only goal during the last day in Sweden was to pass Solberg on the result list and pushed hard throughout the whole day. But on SS22 Solberg picked up tyre damage and Østberg kept his speed and won the stage and got a lead of 25 seconds to Solberg.
– I got nervous and was really focused on staying on the road, but it all worked out very well, Østberg explains.

Østberg came second on SS23 and fifth on SS24 and finished third overall.  
– For me this third position was really important and it was also really important for me to win the fight with Petter. I came here hoping I could finish first, but now finishing third feels like it, Østberg said.

No Norwegian driver was able to match Østberg’s performance. Petter Solberg ended up as number four, Henning Solberg as number seven and Eyvind Brynildsen as number 10.