French rally driver Francois Delecour has left Mitsubishi after the team decided to sit out the 2003 season to develop an improved car for next year. The 1998 world champions said in a statement today that Delecour, who had a year remaining on his contract and was team mate to Scotland's Alister McRae, had been released by mutual agreement. It added: "Delecour is now free to pursue alternative options."
Mitsubishi said they remained fully committed to returning to the world championship next year. The statement quoted company vice president Ulrich Walker as saying at the weekend that the team was busy preparing for a successful return. He said: "Next season we will be back at the WRC with our Lancer Evolution and we will be back to win."
Filed by Shane Murray
