'Tug of love' Burns to test Peugeot today.

New world rally champion Richard Burns is due to test with Peugeot for the first time today [Tuesday] - despite claims that he will remain a Subaru driver in 2002.

The English driver, who clinched his first individual title on the Network Q Rally of Great Britain last weekend, is slated to conduct a four-day run for Peugeot in the snowy heartland of Sweden, as the French team begins its preparations for the defence of its team crown. Rally Sweden is the second round of the 2002 calendar, and requires special preparation because of its unique winter conditions.

Despite teams having to lodge entries for the new campaign as long ago as last Friday, however, Burns remains at the centre of a wrangle between his two potential employers.

Peugeot announced him as its replacement for Didier Auriol prior to the final rounds of the 2001 championship, only for Subaru to claim that it had a clause in Burns contract which gave the Banbury-based team an option on his services should he land the world title. The issue was expected to have been resolved in time for the nomination deadline, but sources claim that both teams intend to include Burns in their 2002 line-up. Peugeot are understood to have nominated year 2000 champion Marcus Gronholm, but left its second driver to be confirmed.

Burns remains tight-lipped on the situation, but is thought to want to move to Peugeot next year. The dispute looks likely to be settled in court, with Subaru possibly accepting a large compensation payment for the loss of its champion.