Rally star Richard Burns is set to return to the Subaru World Rally team at the end of this season when his current Peugeot contract expires. The former world champion is contracted to the French team until the end of 2003 and a shock return to the squad that help him to his world title is rumoured to be on.
Subaru boss David Lapworth admitted this week that Burns would figure prominently in the team's thoughts as they look to find a replacement for Makinnen.
" Subaru's goal for 2004 is clear: to be able to fight for both the driver's and the constructor's championships. It would be good to keep Tommi in the team or have another driver with the same potential and have a young driver to drive the third car. Richard Burns is the ideal teammate for Petter Solberg. With his experience, Richard will always be one of the fastest driver in the championship," said Lapworth
Rumours that the title winning combination will reform have been strengthened by the imminent retirement of current Subaru driver Tommi Makinnen and the failure of Burns to get to grips with the 206 WRC. Burns has already admitted earlier in the season that he may never be totally comfortable within the cramped confines of the 206. A move to a team with a bigger car is viewed by some as the only way to help Burns return to true competitive form.
Although Burns leads the world championship as the teams head to the next round in New Zealand, his performances this season have been less than inspiring. The Englishman took time to acclimatise to his new surroundings last season but there has been little room for excuses in his second season with the Peugeot squad. A possible return to Subaru will depend heavily on how well Burns and co-driver Robert Reid run in the next few rallies. Further problems with the cramped 206 will almost certainly signal a return to more familiar and spacious surroundings.
However Lapworth warned that the number of top WRC drivers who are out of contract at the end of 2003 could really shake up the series. " There are a lot of drivers without a contract for 2004. There may be major changes in the driver line-ups next year."
Back to WRC News & Discussion Page
Back to Main Page
Visit
Linksheaven! The Motor Racing Directory
© 2000 motorsportforum@yahoo.co.uk