Former Skoda driver Armin Schwarz looks set to take control of the Czech marque's WRC effort from next year with backing from energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull.

As has been widely rumoured for the past couple of months, Schwarz intends to run a squad of Fabia WRCs in the 2006 World Rally Championship and it now looks highly likely that this will replace the works Skoda Motorsport entry.

It is not yet clear whether the team will run as an official manufacturer entry like Subaru/Prodrive or simply as a privateer outfit. It is, however, thought that there will be continued development to the car as Schwarz has been in discussions with his 2-time-team-mate Colin McRae over a drive.

If the squad were to sign McRae, they would have to run a car updated to the 2006 rules with passive differentials as no driver who has finished in the top 6 of the championship in the previous 5 seasons is allowed to use a car with active transmission.

Full details of the new teams 2006 plans should be made public by the end of this week; Armin Schwarz told Wednesday's Motorsport News: "I cannot say too much but it's all looking very positive. Things are not so much up in the air, it's a question of when the details will be announced."

Former Skoda chief engineer and long-time friend of Schwarz, Dietmar Metrich, is widely expected to take a role in the Red Bull team.

McRae set for return to WRC Nov 24 2005

By George Topp

SCOTLAND’S Colin McRae could be back behind the wheel of a Skoda Fabia WRC next season.

The former world champion has now been linked to a privately run Skoda team, expected to be backed by Red Bull.

The soft drinks company are being tipped as backers for a private Skoda team run by Armin Schwarz, who has just retired as the Czech team’s lead driver.

Sport insiders claim a deal was signed last week and that details of the team will be announced at this weekend’s Essen Motorshow.

McRae is keen to secure a drive for 2006 and has already spoken to Schwarz about a possible role in the new team.

So i hope the ads i keep seeing for the Autosport show, which have a Mcrae livered Mitsubishi evo are refering to Alister's driving with the team years ago!

So i hope the ads i keep seeing for the Autosport show, which have a Mcrae livered Mitsubishi evo are refering to Alister's driving with the team years ago!

The 'McRae in a Mitsubishi in 2006' rumour is one that has been around for a good few months and shows no sign of going away yet.

Hope this comes off .... but only if the team actually get proper backing (even if unofficial) from VAG to make the car fully competitive. McRae will rapidly lose interest if the car is uncompetitive and he has to drive his balls off just to get an 8th/9th place. It sounds promising with Red Bull sponsorship as they usually are prepared to throw a decent amount of money at projects to try and get exposure.

Hope this comes off .... but only if the team actually get proper backing (even if unofficial) from VAG to make the car fully competitive. McRae will rapidly lose interest if the car is uncompetitive and he has to drive his balls off just to get an 8th/9th place. It sounds promising with Red Bull sponsorship as they usually are prepared to throw a decent amount of money at projects to try and get exposure.

Red Bull love young drivers though - Meeke and McRae maybe as drivers?

Red Bull love young drivers though - Meeke and McRae maybe as drivers?

... would be good

This could be big.

interesting

Red Bull love young drivers though - Meeke and McRae maybe as drivers?

There'd be no shortage of TV footage then