The Subaru World Ral🔴ly Team look set to announce Richard Burns' replacement on Monday according to reports in the media, and currently Colin McRae's chances of securing the drive 'do not look good'.

WRC boss, David Richards, who also owns the Prodrive concern that runs the SWRT, said yesterday that the situation is not looking promising, with costs on the increase next year following the addition of two extra rounds in Japan and Mexico. This situation means that McRae may just be 🎐to expensive.

Richards told Reuters: "I believe that as far as Subaruꦦ is concerned, they have made their decision - and it is based on the financial situation of operating for next year.

"But hope♛fully all is not lost because there are a number of people, commercial sponsors, who want to see him [McRae] back in the championship and maybe that can be resolved.

"My understanding is that, based upon the financial situation and the costs of the championship which have inc🍃reased next year, it doesn't look good 🦩at the moment."

"From my perspective there is only one driver who should be in that car, and in the championship, and that's Colin," a🔥dded Richards, "The team have to make the decision [th꧙ough] and Subaru have to ultimately agree that with the team.

"There is no question that Colin is one of the key ingredients that put Subaru on the map in the fꦇirst place and it would be extraordinary for them to get him back driving for them in the championship. But clearly that is a decision that has got lots of other implications."

McRae, who won the championship for Subaru in 1995, will learn his fate today, after Subaru team boss, David Lapworth meets with high-ranking members of the Japanese manufacturer in Monaco to finalise who🔯 will partner Petter Solberg.

An official an🔴nouncement from the Banbury based sq𒉰uad is expected Monday.

The closing date for 𝐆entries for the Monte Cꦡarlo Rally - the opening round of the 2004 WRC, is December 17.