McRae's drive for Subaru looking unlikely
Discussion
BBC said:
Colin McRae's chances of driving for Subaru in next year's World Rally Championship are looking bleak.
McRae was hotly tipped to return to Subaru after Richard Burns was found to have a brain tumour.
But it now appears that Subaru feel they cannot afford their ex-champion.
"As far as I'm aware a decision has been made, and it does not look too good at the moment," said David Richards, whose Prodrive company runs Subaru's WRC programme.
"But all is not yet lost. There are number of people and commercial sponsors who do not want to see Colin lost to the championship.
"There is no question that Colin is one of the key ingredients who put Subaru on the map in the first place.
"It would be extraordinary if they could get him back competing but that's a decision that leads to other considerations.
"It is a financial situation because of the increased costs of competing in the world championship next year."
Team budgets have risen following changes to the rules and an expansion of the calendar to 16 rallies, with the introduction of Mexico and Japan next year.
Those costs could be absorbed if Subaru did not have to meet McRae's multi-million pound wage bill to partner Norway's newly-crowned world champion Petter Solberg and instead opted for a less experienced, cheaper driver.
But Richards, who guided McRae to the world title with Subaru in 1995, is determined that the Scot's publicity value and undoubted skills will turn the decision in his favour.
"Colin is one of the icons of the sport," he added.
"He should be in the championship and he still has the desire and ability to compete for the world title if he is in the right car."
Subaru boss David Lapworth will meet the team's Japanese paymasters in Monaco to make a final decision with the deadline to name drivers for next month's season-opening Monte Carlo rally looming on 17 December.
Latest.
Autosport said:
Colin McRae will not drive for Subaru in next year's World Rally Championship following the Banbury team's decision not to offer him a 2004 seat.
The decision was taken at a meeting in Monte Carlo this afternoon between Subaru World Rally Team officials and high-ranking members of Subaru Japan. McRae, who was told his services would not be required earlier this evening, was angry and confused about the way the negotiations had broken down.
The 35-year-old Scot, who won his only world title with Subaru in 1995, tested the team's Impreza WRC2003 in Wales last week and believed the deal for his return was all-but confirmed.
McRae was quick to point out that the stumbling block for the deal was not his salary for 2004.
“This deal was not about the money, it was about me being in a team that could have given me one more crack at the World Rally Championship," he said. "Subaru could have had a cracking team with Petter (Solberg) and myself. I've never been more disappointed with anything in my entire time in the championship.”
McRae, who was not retained by the Citroen team at the end of this season, will now focus his attentions on a forthcoming attempt at Telefonica Dakar, driving a Nissan.
World rallying's commercial boss David Richards was disappointed not to see McRae back in the championship, saying: “Some sports have iconic figures and Colin is one of them. It was Colin that helped put Subaru on the map. I don't think some people understand the impact of not having him in the car.”
Subaru World Rally Team will make an official announcement on Monday about who will partner Solberg at Subaru next season. Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen is rumoured to be favourite for the seat.
Autosport said:Yeah, yeah, pull the other one.
McRae was quick to point out that the stumbling block for the deal was not his salary for 2004.
I'm sure if Colin had been a little more flexible on his fee he might have secured the seat. However, Mr. Multi-Million Pound Fee had his reputation to maintain and I fear he has lost out as a result.
Have just read
www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=4&nid=82674
and I think McRae has been treated appallingly. Am looking forward to watching him in the Dakar though
The treatment of McRae and JV are quite striking...with a common source - Mr D. Richards.
JV quote:-
"David spent the whole year destroying everything I achieved to make sure that I couldn't go anywhere. To make sure I would have no value and that he wouldn't have to keep me," he said. "That's all he had to do from 8 in the morning to 8 at night while everybody else was busy working."
Source, Montreal Gazette, December 13, 2003.
www.crash.net/uk/en/news_view.asp?cid=4&nid=82674
and I think McRae has been treated appallingly. Am looking forward to watching him in the Dakar though
The treatment of McRae and JV are quite striking...with a common source - Mr D. Richards.
JV quote:-
"David spent the whole year destroying everything I achieved to make sure that I couldn't go anywhere. To make sure I would have no value and that he wouldn't have to keep me," he said. "That's all he had to do from 8 in the morning to 8 at night while everybody else was busy working."
Source, Montreal Gazette, December 13, 2003.
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