Former world rally champion Colin McRae will drive for Citroen next season after Ford confirmed they will not be renewing the Scotsman's contract.
McRae's current deal with Ford expires at the end of the season but the Cumbria-based team announced today they will not retain his services, paving the way for his long-rumoured switch to Citroen.
McRae joined Ford in 1999 and has helped transform the Focus into a title contender. He is still in with a chance of winning this season's World Rally Championship title after being pipped to the crown on the final event of last season by Richard Burns.
Ford's European director of motorsport Martin Whitaker made the announcement today, insisting the speculation over McRae's future in recent weeks had put the team under "undue pressure".
He said: "We hope that in advising Colin of this decision, it will enable him to plan for the 2003 championship season and will alleviate the undue pressure that has been disruptive, not only for Colin and his co-driver, Nicky Grist, but for the team as a whole.
"Colin will continue for the remaining three rounds of this year's championship with Ford Rallye Sport and we look forward to a strong finish to the year."