Positive COVID test for Petter rules Oliver out of WRC Italy

Oliver Solberg has been ruled out of next week’s Rally Italy following a positive coronavirus test for his father, Petter.

The 19-year-old, who continues to return negative test results, was lined up for his second outing in a Hyundai Motorsport i20 Coupe WRC in Sardinia.

Instead of taking part in the recce for next week’s Olbia-based event, Oliver will remain in 14-day quarantine in Porto – where he has been since competing at last week’s Rally Portugal.

Solberg Jr said: “You can imagine, I am more than disappointed by this news. I am a little bit devastated.

“But you know, we have seen in the last year what coronavirus can do. My papa is doing well with a small fever and I’m thinking to him right now.

“It’s really hard to take now, but the time for my next rally in that amazing Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC will come. We have these rules and regulations for a reason and that reason is to try to stop this thing spreading.

“My family accepts completely what the FIA, the rally organizers, the national governments and medical professionals are telling us. The most important thing is that we keep people safe.”

Solberg Sr tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday and will also quarantine in Porto for the full 14 days.

At the direction of the Portuguese Health Authorities, the whole RedGrey team – which runs Hyundai’s WRC2 concern – is in quarantine until June 4.

Solberg and Ole Christian Veiby – who tested positive for coronavirus ahead of Portugal and has subsequently been banned from competing for six months for a contravention of COVID-19 regulations – were both driving for RedGrey.