Andersson gets full season with Proton

The double Junior World Rally champion and former Suzuki works WRC driver retired from the Monte on SS2 yesterday with suspension damage.

But Chris Mellors' MEM team - which runs the Proton Satria programme - has now confirmed that Andersson's deal has been extended for the rest of the year.

"Anybody who has seen P-G driving up close can be in no doubt about the kind of speed he is capable of," Mellors said. "We're really looking forward to working with him this season."

Andersson said he was pleased to have a full-time works seat lined-up for the first time since Suzuki pulled out of the WRC at the end of 2008, and is optimistic about the Satria's potential despite its struggles so far.

"It's fantastic to have a season of driving confirmed," said Andersson. "The Satria is a great car and to have the chance to be working with a manufacturer like Proton is very good news for me.

"There is some work to do with the car, we know that, but in the short time I have been with the team preparing for Monte Carlo, we have made some big steps forward and I have every confidence that working with Chris and the whole of Proton we can really make a very good year in 2011."

Proton also has former WRC drivers Chris Atkinson and Alister McRae on its driving roster for the Asia-Pacific Championship, but has yet to announce who will partner Andersson on the next IRC round in Spain.