World champion Richard Burns is free to drive for Peugeot next year after reaching an agreement with Subaru, his former team said today.
"The Subaru World Rally Team announced that it has reached an agreement with the British driver Richard Burns over his 2002 contract," the statement said resolving the tug-of-war situation over the English drivers contract.
"Following negotiations since the Rally of Great Britain, a settlement has been reached which releases Richard from his contractual obligations to Subaru.
"The team is pleased that this matter is now resolved, and wishes Richard and (co-driver) Robert Reid well in their new endeavours," it concluded.
Burns had agreed to join Peugeot in 2002 before the season-ending British rally in which he won the world title.
The wrangle emerged after Burns’ championship success triggered a clause in his Subaru contract giving them an option on him for 2002.