John
17th Mar 2003, 04:39 PM
From the bbc:
Burns considers return
Burns' deal with Peugeot runs out at the end of the season
Former World Rally champion Richard Burns could return to Subaru after his current contract with Peugeot expires at the end of the season.
Burns won the title with Subaru in 2001 before deciding to defect to the French manufacturer.
He has since found life difficult and has not been happy with the car's performance since failing to retain his title last season.
Burns said: "I know that I have no contract for 2004 and this is something that I will be looking at soon. It's nice to have options out there."
Subaru boss David Lapworth admitted he would consider re-signing Burns if Tommi Makinen retires at the end of season.
Burns left Subaru for Peugeot at the end of his title-winning year after a messy legal wrangle with the British-based team.
If Richard is on the market we certainly wouldn't rule him out of coming back here
Subaru boss David Lapworth
But Lapworth bears no ill feeling towards the current championship leader.
"Business is business," said Lapworth. "There is no outstanding bad feeling on either part for what happened in 2001.
"If Richard is on the market, he is on our list and we certainly wouldn't rule him out of coming back here."
However, Petter Solberg said it would be "perfect" if team-mate Makinen decided not to retire at the end of this season, but the Norwegian would also welcome back Burns if Subaru signed him.
Solberg, who was understudy to Burns when he was at Subaru, claimed that as long as there was a good team spirit, it did not really matter who his team-mate was.
"It would be good fun if Tommi decided to stay," admitted Solberg. "There is a good feeling in the team at the moment, it's perfect.
"But if Richard is coming in, no problem. It doesn't really make any difference to what I have to do.
"I don't mind who my team-mate is, as long as they can smile, be happy and have a good team spirit."
The next race in the World Rally Championship is on the 9-13 March in New Zealand.
(Sorry for posting a big quote but links arent allowed and don't know if you check the bbc site for news or not)
To be honest Pug looked the best option when he went there but it doesnt seem to be going to plan, so a switch back to the Scuby might not be such a bad idea. Tommi might be retiring and Petter would probably benefit more from an experienced team mate than another 'young gun'
Also means I can get my Subaru Tshirt out again! (Not that I really put it away mind!)
Burns considers return
Burns' deal with Peugeot runs out at the end of the season
Former World Rally champion Richard Burns could return to Subaru after his current contract with Peugeot expires at the end of the season.
Burns won the title with Subaru in 2001 before deciding to defect to the French manufacturer.
He has since found life difficult and has not been happy with the car's performance since failing to retain his title last season.
Burns said: "I know that I have no contract for 2004 and this is something that I will be looking at soon. It's nice to have options out there."
Subaru boss David Lapworth admitted he would consider re-signing Burns if Tommi Makinen retires at the end of season.
Burns left Subaru for Peugeot at the end of his title-winning year after a messy legal wrangle with the British-based team.
If Richard is on the market we certainly wouldn't rule him out of coming back here
Subaru boss David Lapworth
But Lapworth bears no ill feeling towards the current championship leader.
"Business is business," said Lapworth. "There is no outstanding bad feeling on either part for what happened in 2001.
"If Richard is on the market, he is on our list and we certainly wouldn't rule him out of coming back here."
However, Petter Solberg said it would be "perfect" if team-mate Makinen decided not to retire at the end of this season, but the Norwegian would also welcome back Burns if Subaru signed him.
Solberg, who was understudy to Burns when he was at Subaru, claimed that as long as there was a good team spirit, it did not really matter who his team-mate was.
"It would be good fun if Tommi decided to stay," admitted Solberg. "There is a good feeling in the team at the moment, it's perfect.
"But if Richard is coming in, no problem. It doesn't really make any difference to what I have to do.
"I don't mind who my team-mate is, as long as they can smile, be happy and have a good team spirit."
The next race in the World Rally Championship is on the 9-13 March in New Zealand.
(Sorry for posting a big quote but links arent allowed and don't know if you check the bbc site for news or not)
To be honest Pug looked the best option when he went there but it doesnt seem to be going to plan, so a switch back to the Scuby might not be such a bad idea. Tommi might be retiring and Petter would probably benefit more from an experienced team mate than another 'young gun'
Also means I can get my Subaru Tshirt out again! (Not that I really put it away mind!)