FOR Colin McRae and Richard Burns, the mathematics are simple.

If either wins this weekend's Network Q Rally of Great Britain, they will be crowned 2001 World Champion.

In the closest finish seen in the championship's 23-year history, Scotsman McRae goes into the final round leading by one point from Mitsubishi's Tommi Makinen.

Three-times Network Q winner Burns is a further two points adrift.

And although Makinen and fourth-placed Carlos Sainz could also take the title, recent Network Q results indicate that British fans will be celebrating a home success in Cardiff on Sunday afternoon.

The British duo haven't been beaten on a full British WRC round since 1993, with McRae winner in 1994, 1995 and 1997, and Subaru star Burns chasing an unprecedented fourth successive victory.

With so much at stake, it's no surprise that there's little love lost between the two.

McRae naturally rates his own chances of clinching a second World title on home soil, but the rivalry is so intense that the Ford team leader has said he would prefer Makinen to regain the crown if he fails.

"If I couldn't win it, then it would be better if Tommi won the championship. But certainly not Burnsie!" he said.

"Someone reckoned that if Richard become world champion, he'd need a Peugeot 806 instead of a 206 next year, just to get his head in."

But McRae is quick to concede that Burns, who is contesting his last rally for Subaru before switching to Peugeot for 2002, is his main rival for the rally and the title.

"Tommi was the man, but he has lost a bit at the moment and he hasn't been really quick in the past in the Welsh forests, so Richard is going to be the toughest customer.

"The only advantage I have is that I've got a bit more experience and I've been in these pressure situations a bit more, and generally, I've come out on top.

"But I'll never take it away from him if he wins. Whoever does it, deserves it."

The British forests have seen a lot of Subaru success, with the Prodrive-run team winning five out of the past six years.

Burns hasn't been beaten since 1997, and his proven ability - particularly in the traditionally treacherous November conditions - point towards one final victory for the Japanese team.

Although he has said that he would prefer to concentrate on preparations for this weekend's decisive encounter, Burns couldn't resist a swipe at his fellow Brit.

"I think its obvious why he doesn't want me to win, because his image of being Britain's best driver would be tarnished," he said. "Colin's created this thing about him being a great sports psychologist who is able to outwit the opposition by calling me names.

"But I'm not sure how deep it goes. It's not psychological warfare, it's more like good schoolground banter. My psychology is simple: Colin is there, Tommi is there, everybody is there. My focus is on the road and my car, nothing else."