Iain P

It's in his contract if he wins the title! Hoorah!
Go Richard!

[Edited by Iain P - 11/25/2001 5:04:52 PM]

Squizz

That's interesting...David Lapworth said something interesting about Burns going to Peugeot or NOT on the crap BBC coverage.

jon44w

Cordoba Proverra the Peugeot Sport boss said that Burns is definitely a Peugeot driver for 2002 regardless of whether he wins the wrc or not.

He has signed on the dotted line.

Still doesnt mean he cant stay with Subaru, but very unlikely. Dont think Tommi would be too happy either. He would want number 1 status.

Doc

A senior member of Prodrive who was at CVC (dealer) in Cardiff last week said, "wait and see", so I guess there must be something in it.

Nigel H

I seem to remember Mr. Croney saying that it was not cut and dried a few weeks ago on here.

From today's Indie - sorry can't remember how to do the link.

Burns had completed his triumphal drive under the dark cloud
of Saturday's accident, when Carlos Sainz's Ford Focus hit a
group of spectators. 13 people, including two children, were
injured and even as he savoured his triumph, swirling
uncertainty contrived to obscure his future. Subaru are
apparently intent on trying to keep the new champion, despite
Peugeot's insistence that his move is a done deal.

David Lapworth, Subaru's team principal, said: "Richard's
contract is a private matter between him and Subaru. We'll be
discussing the future with Richard this week." Burns said
merely: "I do expect to be at Peugeot next year."

Subaru claim that a clause in their contract with Burns gives
them an option on his services in the event of his becoming
world champion. The Peugeot Sports director, Corrado Provera,
counters: "No matter what Subaru say, you can be sure
Richard Burns will be driving for us next season.''

blp

Should be interesting. If there is a clause in the contract that says they have an option to keep him if he is WRC, then all well and good. Remember the designer for Maclaren F1? He signed on the dotted line for another team, but didnt go in the end.

Of course, Mr Burns could be playing a smart one....

"I need to negoitate a better deal for next year. Get a better deal from Pug. If I dont win the WRC, Ive got a better deal with another team. If I do win the WRC, and Scooby invoke the "You have won the WRC" clause, I am negotiation from a postion of strength, because not only have I got a benchmark postion with Pug to work from, if it all goes **** up in renegotiaing with scooby, Ive got the Pug drive to fall back on" .

Smart cookie if you ask me.

BLP

SimonRyan

From what I've seen , he doesn't seem to get much support from his fellow Subaru owners and drivers, so no wonder he wants to go to Peugeot!

Neil Smalley

He might HAVE to drive for Subaru but if his heart is'nt in it then he's more of a burden than a bonus.

Same thing happened IMHO with McLaren. Jaguar signed Newy, McL nab him back and Mclaren stand still performance wise for the rest of the season. Better to let him go and get a hungry driver.

MichelleWRX1994

Let him go to Peugeot after all he wouldn't have *signed* to go if he wanted to stay would he.........

fast bloke

He signed with Pug three quarters of the way through the season. The main reason he gave was that he wanted a car that was capable of winning the championship. He has scored 29 points in the last 6 races. Given that he now has a car capable of winning he might actuall want to stay. TV coverage last night implied that it was open for discussion.

P.S. If Mak is the No.1 driver, will next years car be red?

Josh L

Funnily enough I've spoken to few people this morning who have all passed comment about David Lapworth's rather cautious use of words yesterday.

He definately seemed to imply that there was something to be discussed. If it was all cut a dried then there wouldn't be anything to discuss. His comments were at best'non-commital'

'Watch this space' is probably the order of the day.

Josh

Robyn

david Lapworth did say though
"You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. Our objective is to persuade Richard to stay. You would have thought winning the title would have been enough,"

so if he wants to go he can, if he wants to stay well thats an option.

I would not mind having to make that kind of decision! Which World rally team to drive for decisions decisions!

GaryC

I'd take Makinen over Burns as a driver anyway - but the prospect of both would be interesting....!

jon44w

If Burns stays I cant see Makinen wanting to stay. I dont know how that would work though as Tommi may have to break his contract to leave.

Tommi is far better than Burns anyway. Marcus is one to watch next year too. Hes a top quality driver and far bettet than Burns too.

dsmith

I've never understood the low regard for Burns as a driver. The way I see it is maybe he doesn't have the raw fire of McCrae but he appears far more methodical and professional. A bit like maybe Mansell V Prost. On a charge there is nothing to stop Mansell/McCrae but all too often it ends in tears. To win championships the more methodical approach can be better. To be honest Burns cam up trumps after all the mind games and hype between the two. Burns understood that he needed to finish so dorve accordingly. McCrae took off like a rocket ship and didn't make it to the end of the first day.

Otis

Burns was interviewed on Eurosport News last night and when asked this question he said ".... I am 100% sure I will be driving A Peugeot next year...."

So I suppose 'that is that' as they say.


Otis.

Geezer

Apparently not. In the Times it says that Burns may not get the chance to defend his title as it could well end up in court and he won't be able to drive for either team until it is sorted out (unless he volunteers to stay with Subaru, but he has made his feeling quite clear on that one). Also, as Peugeot signed him in good faith, they may not be liable to pay the compensation that Subaru seek and Burns may be personally persued for up to £5 million. Eek!

That'll teach him to be a smarmy ginger b@stard!

Geezer

polarbearit

I'm sure Burns wants to drive next year, and whilst the Pugs have been the best cars this year I think the Scooby is up there again now. It's not in anyone's (except the Laywers) real interest not to have the World Champion driving next year. I rate Burns as a driver, he IS a consistent 98% driver, where as McCrae is an inconsistant driver who gives it 100%. That last 2% makes McCrae's driving more entertaining, though sometimes it is like he is driving beyond his capabilities, and he makes mistakes, Burns is generally just consistant and smooth, so not as entertaining, but a good driver none-the-less. I hope he is driving next year...

I don't really care who he drives for, Makkinen is an Excellent and consistant driver!

Jon

scud8

iTrader: (1)

Whose this McCrae bloke everyone keeps talking about?