Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart today announced that following further medical tests and consultation between the team surgeon, specialists and Alister McRae, it has been decided that Alister will not take part in the 2002 Telstra Rally Australia.

Having withdrawn the entry from Rally New Zealand to recover from a mountain biking accident prior to Sanremo, Alister travelled to western Australia to continue his recovery and prepare for the penultimate round of the 2002 FIA World Rally Championship. A further scan, as part of the recovery monitoring process, showed that his bruised liver is recovering well. However, the recovery is not sufficient enough for him to compete in Australia.

The Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crews of François Delecour/Daniel Grataloup and Jani Paasonen/Arto Kapanen will complete on the event, as part of the original three-car entry.