Subaru starts driver search

The drivers thought likely to be assessed over a day on all aspects of a WRC drivers' job are Britons Guy Wilks and Kris Meeke, Swede Per-Gunnar Andersson, Finn Jari-Matti Latvala and Estonian Urmo Aava - all currently contesting the Junior World Rally Championship - plus current incumbent Mikko Hirvonen who has struggled to get to grips with the car this year and whose place is believed to be in jeopardy.

SWRT team principal David Lapworth would not comment, but a source told Autosport: "It would be a very good way of looking at the talent that's out and about. Obviously there's a lot more to winning at world championship level than just driving quickly. We want to look at the driver's motivation, his ability to make decisions under pressure, how he deals with the media, fitness levels, and all those sort of things."

Paul Hembery, a director of SWRT's tyre supplier Pirelli reckons the plan is a good one. "We need a driver for next year, who has the same hunger as Petter. I remember when he came to the team, he was desperate to find out who was doing what and why. He was always the first at the tests and never stopped asking questions. This is certainly the sort of initiative which Pirelli is keen to get behind and back.