Although he insisted there is nothing wrong with the partnership between the two – as they have been racing in rally for almost a decade – we can't help but wonder why the sudden change? Although he was aiming for his first win in the WRC last season, his failure had little to do with Menkerud's note-reading task.
In addition, he finished last year's campaign as the 6th best rally driver of the 2009 season, only 2 points behind brother Petter and as the second best placed driver competing for a customer team (Stobart VK M-Sport).
“There's absolutely nothing wrong with Cato. I think he is one of the best co-drivers in the world, and he's never read a wrong note in nine years - but for me I need something new, and maybe a new co-driver is it,” said Solberg, who also announced that his new co-driver will be Ilka Minor.
Minor is mostly known to rally fans worldwide for her long-time co-driving role with Manfred Stohl. However, she disappeared from the public eye following the 2007 WRC season, at the end of which Stohl failed to work out a deal that would keep him in the series. During the past few years, Minor has been part of Solberg's safety note crew in the WRC.
As for Menkerud, he will continue to co-drive on the roads of the WRC series, but in the newly-launched Super 2000 category, alongside Eyvind Brynildsen (Skoda Fabia S2000).
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