Quandt: Motorsport is in Mitsubishi DNA.

Despite the reported 'split' between WRC stalwart Mitsubishi and brand owner DaimlerChrysler, team boss Sven Quandt insists that there is no threat to recently-revived rally programme.

Asked about the situation during the pre-event press conference in Cyprus, Quandt said that motorsport - and rallying in particular - would continue to play a vital part in the marque's branding.

"Everyone is interested to know what will happen with Mitsubishi Motors' two motorsport programmes - in WRC and Cross-Country," he admitted, "I can tell you that motorsport has a history in Mitsubishi longer than 30 years, and we definitely will continue, as this is part of the marketing strategy and the DNA of Mitsubishi. Both of these programmes will be continued."

Asked whether the this season's results would influence the future of the WRC programme, Quandt denied the importance of 2004.

"It is not dependent upon the results," he stressed, "We stated that this would be a three-year programme - one year when we strive for reliability, the next year when we think that we could achieve something, say top five positions, and then, in 2006, we would hope to be right at the top again. I never said anything different to that."

Quandt did rule out the possibility of running three cars in this year's WRC - at least for the time being.

"We will enter three cars only when we have the car reliable," he admitted, "It does not make sense to enter three cars when we still have problems with reliability. We think we will increase our performance in the next three rallies - the parts should arrive for Argentina. I think that is a major problem holding us back at the moment."