Ford won't rush driver decision

He also fuelled speculation that their soon-to-retire lead driver Marcus Gronholm is considering returning for occasional rallies next season.

Championship leader Gronholm announced last month that he would retire at the end of 2007, but in Catalunya he hinted to Autosport magazine that he could contest a part-season in 2008.

In an interview with World Rally Radio, Wilson said the team were open-minded about who would partner Mikko Hirvonen next year.

"We don't really need to rush in now and make a decision, because there isn't a Marcus Gronholm or a Sebastien Loeb out there that you can go and pick up from the shelf," he said.

"It might be a case of mix-and-match; looking at different drivers for different rallies. Maybe it will be like what we've done with Mikko and we'll take an investment.

"Basically we're just reviewing everything, watching everyone's performance and reviewing what's happening. Hopefully we'll make a decision before the end of the season, certainly before Rally GB hopefully we can give some indication of which way we're looking at going."

Wilson dismissed a rumour that Gronholm might take a sabbatical in 2008 then return for the 2009 season.

"I think that will not be in Marcus's thinking at all," said Wilson. "He's made a decision now. It's taken a long time - he'd been discussing it since June."

But the team boss did allude to the possibility of some one-off appearances by the double champion.

"I'm sure he will miss it, because it's been his life, but I can understand his decision that he doesn't want to do a whole championship again," Wilson said.

"Who knows, maybe he might want to do the odd rally next year? Those are all still possibilities, and that's why I say we're not in a panic to make a decision.

"We want to make sure he wins the championship in his final year because it hasn't been done before and honestly we're really focused on that at the moment. All the other blocks will fall into line as the season progresses."

Stobart Ford driver Jari-Matti Latvala has been tipped for a works Ford drive after impressing greatly in the satellite team this season.

Wilson admitted that the 22-year-old Finn was on the team's shortlist.

"We're obviously feeling Jari's got a lot to offer in the future, so we've been investing him," he said.

"But we want to see what happens. These next few rallies are quite crucial. Certainly in New Zealand and Catalunya I think he's made a big step in understanding that it's important to finish these rallies.

"He's one of the drivers that we would consider."