Finn Mikko Hirvonen has moved into pole po🍎sition fo🗹r the vacant seat at Subaru alongside new 2003 World Rally champion, Petter Solberg, following reports that Colin McRae's chances of securing the drive now 'don't look good'.

Hirvonen, who raced for Ford in 2003, running in the third 2002-spec Foc♕us, is thought to be the more likely bet for the seat, as McRae🥂 is considered too expensive by the Japanese manufacturer.

Although Hirvonen's form was far from dazzling this season, he put in some s♐olid performaces, most noticeably notching up his first WRC points in Cyprus - after finishing sixth, and coming home tenth in France and New Zealand.

Timo Jouhki, Hirvonen's manager, told Finnish news agency, STT yesterday: "Things have started to look better since the end of last week. It seems there is interest♓ in hiring a young driver.

"Nothing has been signe𓃲d. I hope things will be clear by next𓄧 Wednesday."

McRae had been thought to be favourite for the drive, after being dumped by Citroen, however yesterday WRC boss David Richards, who also owns the Prodrive concern that runs the SWRT, revealed that the situation is now not very promiඣsing at all.

Richards told Reuters: "I believe that as far as S♛ubaru is concerned, t𝓀hey have made their decision - and it is based on the financial situation of operating for next year. My understanding is that, based upon the financial situation and the costs of the championship which have increased next year, it doesn't look good at the moment."

With the championship increasing from 14 rounds to 16 in 2004, many teams are looking to save money, in order to contest the extra events. All this is bad news for McRae, who w🎀ould cost considerably more than an upcoming driver such as Hirvonen.

It is ironic that this change could seal McRae's fate, especially as it was the regulations changes that restricted ꦅteams to just two-cars, that cost the S🌜cot his Citroen drive in the first place.

An official announcement from Subaru is expected early next week - when entries for the﷽ Monte Carlo Rally, the opening round of the 2004 championship close on Wednesday December 17.

To sum-up the current rumour mill suggests, Hirvonen has a good chance of securing the deal, with McRae now less of a possibility. Harri Rovanpera may also be in the reckoning, following 💙Peugeot's decision to drop him, although few reports have mentioned him.

Hirvonen, like McRae and Rovan🎃ꦐpera, does not have a drive in the WRC for next year.