Ford stars consider 2003 options

Sainz and McRae come to the end of their current contracts at the end of this year and both are said to be thinking carefully about their future, according to this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, out tomorrow (Thursday).

Both drivers have been linked to Citroen which will upgrade its current limited programme to a full-scale assault on all 14 rounds of the 2003 championship, while McRae is also rumoured to have talked to Subaru about a return to the squad with which he won the 1995 world crown.

Ford World Rally boss Malcolm Wilson wants to keep his stars, but he's also looking to the future. "I can't deny that the two guys are up for grabs," he told AUTOSPORT, "and I'm sure we'll have to fight very hard to keep them. But we're looking at everything at the minute - not just the immediate future, but slightly more long-term as well."

Wilson already has two youngsters tipped for future stardom under contract in Markko Martin and Francois Duval and is also looking forward to the launch of a new generation Focus WRC in 2005. Duval's performance on his debut in a 2002-spec Focus WRC in Cyprus was highly impressive - including a fastest stage time and a brief spell in the rally lead - and looks to have secured him top equipment for his remaining scheduled WRC outings this season.

"Ideally I'd like to get him into a WRC more," said Wilson, "but we have to remember he's also aiming for the Junior World Championship. It's safe to say, though, that we'll try to give him a 2002-spec Focus from now on."