Colin McRae Set to Become Britain's Highest Paid Motorsport Star

Strategic Insights -

Colin McRae, the Scottish former world rally champion, is poised to surpass F1 legend Damon Hill as Britain's highest paid motorsport star. McRae has signed a £6 million deal with Ford, a significant increase from his current £5 million salary with Subaru. The move comes as Ford seeks to revitalize their rally program, with McRae's talents crucial to their championship ambitions in the 1999 and possibly 2000 seasons.

Key Takeaways:

  • Colin McRae is set to become Britain's highest paid motorsport star with a £6 million deal from Ford, surpassing Damon Hill's £5 million salary at Jordan.
  • McRae has notched up numerous achievements during his seven years with Subaru, including a world title in 1995, a British title in 1992, and 16 world rally victories.
  • Ford needs McRae's expertise to lead their rally program, which has struggled for wins in the past year, and will compete with a new car in the 1999 and possibly 2000 seasons.
  • McRae is the only top-class driver available to lead Ford's assault on the championship, and his remarks about driving in rallying suggest he believes he is on par with Formula One drivers like Michael Schumacher.
  • McRae joins four-times world champion Juha Kankkunen at Ford, and rival Subaru is expected to announce the re-signing of Safari Rally winner Richard Burns shortly.

Statistics:

  • £6 million: The deal signed by Colin McRae with Ford.
  • £5 million: Damon Hill's salary at Jordan.
  • 16: The number of world rally victories achieved by McRae during his seven years with Subaru.
  • 1995: The year McRae won his first and only world title with Ford.
  • 1992: The year McRae won his only British title.
  • 1 year: The duration of Ford's rally program without a win, prior to McRae's signing.
  • 1999 and 2000: The seasons for which McRae will compete with Ford's new rally car.

Sources:

  • The Scotsman
  • Motorsport magazine