SWRT: Solberg deal proves we aren't going to quit.

Subaru's manufacturer principal, Toshi Azuma has said that the team's new three-season deal with Petter Solberg is proof of their long-term commitment to the FIA World Rally Championship.

Speaking following that announcement on Wednesday, Azuma added though that if the Prodrive-run squad did continue to under-perform like they have thus far this season, then they would have to review their involvement in the sport.

"If the current situation continued, then obviously there would be little point in Subaru continuing to rally," he admitted. "We are one of the top teams and should always be in contention for victory.

"It is not easy at all to maintain the position as world's best, but we've already taken every possible action to achieve it again. If we can demonstrate it to the world, then long-term commitment to WRC will come naturally. Petter is one of the top drivers and our team is also one of the best. I firmly believe we have enough potential in terms of the car and engineering that we can achieve good results. Our biggest commitment can be seen in the fact that we will be competing with Petter for the coming three seasons."

As for the role of the WRC in Subaru's marketing strategy, Azuma was quick to point out it is crucial: "It is extremely important and in line with Subaru's philosophy of building cars that give a driving experience that is both safe and fun. The best way to demonstrate the world's best drivability, high speed and high safety that Subaru has with its all-wheel-drive layout, boxer engine and low-center of gravity is rallying.

"It meets the purpose and can bring far more useful feedback to the development process than circuit racing because the former uses normal public road covered with ice, snow, rain, gravel or asphalt while the latter uses just asphalt. For us, there is no more appropriate stage than the WRC."

To date this season, despite not having won, the team have taken two runners-ups spot and have managed to notch up 63 points in the manufacturers', 33 points off Kronos Citroen, who lead and 18 behind BP Ford, who are second. So what are the team's hopes for the rest of the season?

"At Subaru we have a philosophy of 'driver and car in one-body', which means a car that behaves as if it was part of the driver's own body, and that's what we're hoping to achieve with the rally car too. It is now required that we review our processes and make some changes to the cars. The most important thing is to be calm and steadily improve the rally cars and team to return both to the top level," he concluded. "During the second half of season, we hope to get podium finishes on all remaining events. We still believe we can win the rallies in Japan, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand."