BANBURY'S Subaru World Rally Team left Sardinia consoled by holding on to third position in the title hunt.

After a tough Rally Sardinia, Chris Atkinson and Stéphane Prevot collected a crucial three championship points for their sixth position finish, keeping the duo third in the drivers' title hunt. Similarly, the Subaru World Rally Team remain third in the manufacturers' race.

The final day of the rally proved no let-up for the team as Atkinson and Petter Solberg were not able to match the pace of the front-runners, who were pushing hard in their own battle for the win. The day comprised the event's roughest stages, whilst stage fourteen's river crossing added patches of thick mud to the mix.

David Richards, Subaru World Rally Team principal, said: "It's been a disappointing rally but in spite of the setbacks both Chris and the team retain third place in the championship. We must now focus all our attention on ensuring that we arrive in Greece with an improved set-up for the conditions we are likely to encounter there."

Atkinson and Prévot demonstrated their consistency this year by taking their fifth points score from the six rallies this season, retaining third place in the championship and consolidating their impressive start to 2008 whilst keeping them in touch with the top of the leaderboard.

Atkinson said: "OK, it's good to get more points and to still be third in the championship, but it's definitely not been an easy weekend. I drove the best I could and made no mistakes, and that's it."

Solberg and Phil Mills had another hard day aboard their number five Impreza, slipping to 12th before doggedly climbing to finish tenth overall, eking some impressive split times from their machine including second fastest time on the final stage.

With Subaru's all-new Impreza WRC2008 on the horizon, drivers and the team alike are eagerly awaiting its first public appearance.

The rally was won by Citroen driver Sebastien Loeb.