The early reports out of Subaru/Pro-drive headquarters in Branbury England is that Colin McRae will not sign with Subaru for the 2004 season. Seems as if Subaru brass in Japan see not signing a top tier driver for the upcoming season as a cost cutting measure, given that the schedule has been expanded to 16 events. McRae seems resigned to sit out 2004, with no factory drives available. Subaru is looking to sign youngster Mikko Hirvonen to drive the #2 Impreza next season.

This means that Subaru is essentially bowing out of the manufacturer’s race next season (unless Hirvonen has a shockingly good year), leaving it to be a two horse race between Citroen and Ford — the only teams to have two solid point scoring drivers on their rosters. This shouldn’t interfere much with Petter Solberg’s campaign to hold his driver’s championship crown, despite his statements that he is still looking to learn from the older, more experienced drivers.

Posted on 13 December 2003