Richard Burns Q&A

"A lot of different reasons, really. Subaru have done an excellent job but I had an offer from Peugeot 18 months ago. I guess it's always been a little bit of a dream of mine to go back there - I started in a small way with Peugeots in 1991. And I don't see the situation as irreversible either - I don't think any party involved is feeling particularly aggrieved."

"No. I haven't done this for the money. I'm not about to discuss fees or the relative differences involved because I don't think that's fair. But you could have offered me ten times what I'm earning to switch to a team that can't win and I wouldn't have done it."


"Very. It's taken a long time to work through the pros and cons. I had two offers from two teams that are both very capable. It's been a fine decision - I can't make that point strongly enough."


"In a way, yes, because I hope it might make things a little easier. It'll allow me to concentrate on this season - which is what I want to do - whereas two weeks ago you guys never stopped trying to get it out of me!"


"I think I'm joining a team where there really isn't a problem with that. Peugeot has everything it needs to run two people in identical cars and pushing towards the championship."


"No. For starters, I'm not allowed to. And it would be a distraction when my target is still this year's world title. In any case, I think it's wrong to test other manufacturers' cars when you're still with a team."


"Tres crap. It can only improve!"


"It's going to be very hard work. Obviously he's got the initial advantage of having been there three years already so he knows the car and the team inside out. It's not going to be an instant thing for me - I'll need time to settle into the new surroundings."


"A whole lot of things will be difficult for me. In a way, if I'd stayed at Subaru it would have been the easy decision because I know everyone here and with people like George [Donaldson] and Paul [Howart] involved in the running of the main team now it's very good. I'm aware that the situation might not be quite as smooth at Peugeot."


"I'd imagine the Subaru will still be competitive and Tommi's certainly a good drive. Maybe he's just got bored at Mitsubishi."


"I'll tell you in six months. Not before! Seriously though, I don't want to get drawn into a line of comparisons between Subaru and Peugeot with the situation as it is."