Setback for McRae

Alister McMcRae's career was put on hold yesterday following Mitsubishi's decision not to contest next year's World Championship.

The team have pulled out after disappointing results with the new Lancer saloon car and will spend next year testing before making a return in 2004. Mitsubishi might contest some events – particularly the newcomer, the Rally of Turkey – and McRae might be allowed one-off drives for rival teams. But the decision is a blow to the 31-year-old Scot, younger brother of Colin, the 1995 world champion.

Mitsubishi dominated the championship for much of the late 1990s, winning four successive titles, but have seen their position usurped by Peugeot. The new car has been a disappointment, with McRae's fifth in Sweden last February its best result.