Subaru give Atkinson a break

Australian driver Chris Atkinson has been given his big break in the world rally championship by Subaru.

The 25-year-old will drive a works Subaru in the majority of next season’s 16 rallies, with ex-Formula One driver Stephane Sarrazin competing in the rest.

Atkinson, who will be team-mate to former world champion Petter Solberg, sees next year as the perfect opportunity to learn after spending his career so far in regional series.

Team boss David Lapworth is confident he has the right driver line-up to challenge for titles again after replacing Mikko Hirvonen with Atkinson and Sarrazin.