Analysis: Mitsubishi exit cripples WRC

Citroen and Peugeot announced last year that they would both pull out at the end of this season, and Skoda announced last week that they would only supply cars for privateers, who are not scheduled to compete in all rounds of the championship.

Mitsubishi announced this morning their shock withdrawal from the championship, leaving the series with just two works teams. Five years ago there were seven.

A Mitsubishi statement said that the decision had been taken as part of their three-year revitalisation process.

The statement read: "With the Mitsubishi Motors Revitalisation Plan as a basis, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has made a solid start toward revitalizing its business operations.

"However, to strengthen and build upon this base, MMC realizes that it must focus management resources on the continued promotion of the revitalisation plan."

The FIA had tried to stop this happening. Last year, on the specific request of Skoda and Mitsubishi, the World Motorsport Council agreed that both manufacturers could miss up to three events in 2006 on the grounds of their budgets being too stretched.

That move has not done enough to either's concerns and they have both decided to call time on their campaigns, at least for the time being.

The Mitsubishi statement went on to say that they could consider a return in 2008, however for 2006 there will just two teams.

Ford will run Finns Marcus Gronholm and Mikko Hirvonen in their Focus WRC 06, although they have run additional non-points scoring cars this season and could do so again.

Subaru will have just Petter Solberg and Chris Atkinson for the full season, with Stephane Sarrazin being run in an additional car in four asphalt rallies.

Privateers Kronos will run double world champion Sebastien Loeb in a Xsara in readiness for Citroen's full return in 2007.

Mitsubishi's decision adds yet more drivers to an already overflowing un-employed driver market. Gigi Galli and Harri Rovanpera were expected to drive for Mitsubishi next season, with occasional outings for Gilles Panizzi.

They will now be searching for a drive, along with 2005 works drivers Markko Martin, Francois Duval, Toni Gardemeister, Roman Kresta and Colin McRae.