Ford to Pirelli for 2001.

Colin McRae's efforts to reclaim the world rally crown will receive an extra boost next season, as his Ford team switches to the same tyres as its rivals.

Ford has signed an agreement with Pirelli to use the company's products on its works cars for the next three seasons, running from 2001 to 2003. McRae's title rival this season, Richard Burns, already uses the Italian rubber on his Subaru, and the Ford outfit is hopeful that the switch will move the Scot ahead on a regular basis.

''We're very much looking forward to linking up with Pirelli,'' explained team boss Malcolm Wilson, one of the last Ford drivers to use the Italian tyres, ''It has a highly successful career in motorsport, particularly in world championship rallying, and both Colin and Carlos [Sainz] have won world title in partnership with the company. Both our drivers have considerable experience of working with Pirelli's engineers, and it's a relationship that we see working very well.''

Testing with the new tyres will commence as soon as the current campaign is completed in Britain in November, but Wilson is quick to pay homage to the company which has taken McRae to two wins in 2000.

''During the past eight seasons, the Ford team has enjoyed considerable success with Michelin, whose professionalism and hard work have been exemplary,'' he said, ''We would like to place on record our thanks to everyone involved in the rally programme, and we know we can rely on the company's full support during the remaining five rallies in our quest for the championship this season.''