McRae Not Ruling Out 2006 Return
Colin McRae is not ruling out the possibility of a full-time WRC return with Skoda next season, after signing a deal to contest this year's Wales Rally GB with the team

McRae will be competing in his first event for nearly two years when he will drive a Fabia WRC 05 in next month's event.
The Scot could use the experience to evaluate whether a full-time return to the sport with Skoda next year is a viable option. McRae last drove in the WRC for Citroen in 2003, however a change in rules over the number of manufacturer scoring cars meant he was dropped by French manufacturer.
"I'm ruling nothing out for the future but we are just concentrating on this one event and treating it as a one-off," McRae said. "The important thing is to get into the Fabia as soon as possible and start work adjusting it to my liking.
"Part of my reason for agreeing to join the team is to try and help move the development of the car along as quickly as possible. I saw when I drove the Fabia WRC last year in Spain that it has great potential and so I'm confident that I can help to make a difference.
"For some time now I've been keen to get back into the WRC and I've also been having talks for some time with Skoda Motorsport that have led to me achieving that aim. The icing on the cake is that it's for Rally GB. It's obviously always been a special rally for me and so if there was one particular rally I'd choose to make a comeback on, this would be the one. I'm really looking forward to it."
The Czech manufacturer has arranged an extensive test programme to get the Scot up to speed with contemporary WRC machinery, who last drove a car testing for the team last October.
"It should give Nicky and I plenty of time to get used to the car," McRae added. "Obviously I'm going to be a little bit rusty at first but we should be able to get it set up the way we want and be in good shape when we get to the start line.
"My aim is to achieve the best result possible for the team and myself. We'll try to finish well into the points and anything after that will be a bonus.
"It's been about 18 months since I last competed on the WRC but the rally was run in November and was the final round of the Championship that year. I've got to get back into full physical fitness before the rally and I need as much time in the car as possible to make sure I'm up to speed when the event starts."
About this article
Series | WRC |
Author | Tim Redmayne |
McRae Not Ruling Out 2006 Return
Trending
Why the casualty of rallying's evolution should still be cherished
The WRC's support categories are in a process of streamlining that will spell the end of a formalised 2WD world championship-level category. While its relevance to the top level has been questioned for some time, that doesn't mean it should be swept quietly under the carpet
Why WRC's hybrid path could leave it at a crossroads
With all three major manufacturers committing to the World Rally Championship’s hybrid era from 2022, the future of the series is assured for now, but it could lead to trickier twists and turns further down the road
How Tanak froze out the competition at the Arctic Rally
Ott Tanak made up for a disastrous Monte Carlo Rally by leading all the way on the snow-kissed stages of the Arctic Rally Finland and in the process hit back at an event Toyota had been expected to dominate
What to expect from the WRC's venture to the Arctic
This week's Arctic Rally Finland will bring the World Rally Championship into new territory. And, almost without exception, the service park can't wait for the subzero challenge to commence
How Ogier achieved a fitting Monte Carlo farewell
Against pandemic-shaped odds, the World Rally Championship season opener went ahead in Monte Carlo last weekend as a familiar face again took top spot. But for an emotional Sebastien Ogier, his record-breaking eighth win meant more than most
What to look out for in the 2021 WRC
As the 2021 World Rally Championship prepares to launch amid tight COVID-19 restrictions in Monte Carlo, here are the eight things unrelated to the pandemic that you should keep an eye on this year
Evans on the talking points of WRC 2021
He came close to the title last year, and now Toyota's Elfyn Evans gives his verdict on what to expect from 2021 as the World Rally Championship prepares to reconvene for the Monte Carlo season opener
Why Britain's continued WRC absence is a wake-up call
OPINION: With Rally GB dropping off the World Rally Championship calendar for the second year in a row, one of Britain's best-attended sporting events faces an uncertain future. It's an unfortunate situation that points to troubling times ahead