Hirvonen replacing Burns at Subaru
LONDON, England -- Subaru have named Finnish driver Mikko Hirvonen as Richard Burns' replacement for next year's world rally championship.
Former world champion Burns was due to partner reigning champion Petter Solberg, but was ruled out after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Hirvonen, 23, was released by Ford last season.
"This is such a fantastic opportunity for me and I'm delighted I'm going to be driving for the team next year," said Hirvonen.
"There's so much that I want to achieve as a driver in the WRC and I know Subaru's the team to help me do that. I just can't wait to get in the car and get going."
"We're very excited to have signed Mikko. He's a very talented young driver and we have the resources to provide him with the best car and team to help him develop his full potential," Subaru team boss David Lapworth said in a statement.
"We've been following the progress of many young drivers and we hope this is the first of a number of initiatives with which Subaru will be involved in 2004."
