Sainz and Auriol left stranded

Overall joint-leader Didier Auriol and third-placed Carlos Sainz are on the receiving end of Toyota's decision to pull out of the WRC, ending more than 25 years involvement in the sport.

The team will be disbanded to allow the marque to concentrate on developing its Formula One team and its CART activities.

Toyota's disappearance will leave the WRC without one of its most successful teams.

Both Auriol and Sainz have won the drivers' titles with Toyota, as has Juha Kankkunen.

The company has also won the manufacturers' title twice.

Recently, Carlos Sainz was being linked with the Ford rally team and a renewal of the partnership he forged with Colin McRae at Subaru in 1994 and 1995.

However, rumours of a £6 million move to SEAT have also been doing the rounds, and the Spaniard will be keen to get a deal sorted out soon if he is to compete next year.

Auriol's future may also lie with Ford or SEAT, but he is also having talks with Peugeot.

He commented that the news of Toyota's withdrawal was 'disappointing', adding that 'no team has done as much for rallying in recent years as Toyota.'

Auriol gave Toyota its first win for 14 months two weeks ago in China, and some insiders hoped it would earn the team a reprieve.

'Some people thought that, but I knew that not even my win would be enough to save the team, he said.