Ford drop McRae.

Ford Rallye Sport has today revealed that Colin McRae will not be staying with the team in 2003.

A Ford spokesperson told British newspaper The Guardian: "We have amicably agreed that we will not be renewing his contract."

The spokesperson added a full statement should be released later today.

Meanwhile McRae is believed to be in talks with Citroen Sport and Subaru for next season, and with Subaru committed to Tommi Makinen and Petter Solberg, it seems Citroen may be the best bet for the Brit.

"I was at Citroen this [Tuesday] morning, but there's still no decision one way or the other," said the 1995 WRC Champion. "Hopefully, it will be fairly soon. It is fairly well down the road."

"Obviously they would like me to join the team, but there are lots of details to sort out. I certainly haven't signed anything today."

The 'details to sort out' are believed to be salary related. McRae will earn a rumoured ?3.5 million this year from Ford and according to the grapevine he is seeking around ?6 million for 2003. Ford though have already said that they need to invest in the car and that such a salary would be detrimental to the team's future.

Ford boss Malcolm Wilson told reporters back in August that his team may sacrifice the services of Colin McRae or Carlos Sainz in order to safeguard the development of the new Focus World Rally Car.

"It's not something we want to do," stated Wilson back then. "But we might have to lose either Colin or Carlos. We might still end up keeping both of them, but the new car is the future."

It seems now that McRae has got the axe, whether Sainz will stay is another matter.