De Paddock - Alweer een wereldkampioen out.

Quote:

Didier Auriol has admitted that his time in the FIA World Rally Championship could be at an end following news that Skoda will take part in only a limited campaign in 2004, and that the two have subsequently parted ways.

Auriol, who won the title with Toyota back in 1994, told the official World Rally website, www.wrc.com: "I'm 45 years old now so if I get nothing during 2004 then I think the WRC will be finished for me."

He added: "Skoda has chosen a different direction for the future and I think it's the right one.

"I would have loved to have gone on longer with them but now is the time to stop."

Looking to the future, he continued: "There are very few cars available for me to drive [in 2004], particularly with the new regulations. If there is an opening during the season then we'll see.

"Driving is still my passion and I think I am still capable of going quickly. I would certainly be interested if a team offered me a car I could fight for podiums with. With the new regulations some manufacturers may be inclined to use specialist drivers on some events, which may offer me opportunities."

If Auriol fails to find such 'opportunities', then he may join Tommi Makinen and Colin McRae, both who will be on the sidelines in 2004, the former following his decision to retire, and the latter after being dropped by Citroen, and then subsequently let-down by Subaru.

The guard it appears are changing, a new generation is here, rise Petter Solberg, Markko Martin and Sebastien Loeb. Exit left, McRae, Makinen and Auriol...

bron: crash.net