No Subaru team orders... yet

Solberg and Martin hold fourth and fifth spots overall, with Burns a further place back in sixth. If Burns was to take Solberg's fourth place he would leapfrog Spaniard Carlos Sainz in the battle for third in the drivers' championship. However David Lapworth, sporting director for the Prodrive-run Subaru team, says issuing team orders now is a risky tactic with rain beginning to fall on Corsica's sealed-surfaced stages.

"It's too early to comment on team orders" said Lapworth. "There are 50km to go and there are reports of rain in some places. The only order given to our drivers so far is to take it easy and get back here.

"For sure, it would help Richard in the championship to finish fourth, but we can't count our chickens before they hatch," he added. "We also have to remember what great jobs Petter and Markko have done here."

One man who is keen for Subaru not to issue team orders is joint championship leader Colin McRae. Currently, the Ford driver is nine points clear of Burns in the standings but is unlikely to score in Corsica.

"I wouldn't be sorry if this (the rally) stops now," said McRae, "because if Richard keeps going like he is then he's going to score some points."