One of thꦓe most successful partnerships in the World Rally Championship is to come to an end after Phil Mills revealed he is to stand down as co-driver to 2003 title winner Petter Solberg.

The pair have contested more than 150 events together over the past eleven years but will now go their separate ways after ཧMills d🏅ecided to stand down to focus on other areas of his life.

Th♑at includes the Viking Motorspor🃏t company formed back in 2008 to build and prepare Mk2 Ford Escorts for use his historic rally competition.

"This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make but I feel the time has come to now concentrate on other parts of life," Mills reflected. "We have competed on 152 WRC events together over the past eleven years🐷 and it has become more of a way of life rath♏er than a job.

"I have enjoyed every single kilometre through the highs and lows that came along and I am sure Petter will win many more events in the future given the right♏ circumstances. I will miss the whole WRC s♓cene very much and wish Petter and the team very great success in the future."

Solberg admitted it was a sad day for his ꧟career to see Mills moving on to pastures new and said he was disappointed not to have been able to give his co-driver one more victory before his departure.

"Phil is leaving the team and I feel really sad 𝐆about it," he said. "I think it will be very difficult to find a co-driver with his skills, to join me in my car again. We have🃏 been together for so many years, in fact I've had him by my side through most of my career, so this is a tough break up for me.

"Looking back on what we have achieved together, I feel especially sorry as I was sure our next win would happen this season and I was hoping to have Phil by my side when it happens. He has been the one that has meant the most for me through my career. Our relationship must hav🌞e been the strongest relationship between driver and co-driver eve🎃r!"

A decision on Mills' replacemen🐭t has yet to be taken.