Sarrazin took part in this year's Rally of Catalunya

The 29-year-old Frenchman turned to rallying this year after five seasons testing with Prost and Toyota.

"It's remarkable that someone who has done 11 rallies and only three at world championship level can run at his pace," said Subaru boss David Lapworth.

"We think he's got what it takes to be a future world champion."

Subaru in profile

Sarrazin made his mark when he finished in fourth place in his privately-entered Subaru in this year's Rally of Catalunya. He also won the French national championship.

He will team up with 2003 world champion Petter Solberg of Norway for the championship season.

It's really a very big chance for me... after one year in rallying it's a great opportunity Stephane Sarrazin

"We've been very impressed by what Sarrazin has done this year," Lapworth said.

"We've signed Stephane for one year but the intention of our development programme is to find a future world champion. We've selected him because we think he's got what it takes."

Lapworth added that Sarrazin would do at least half of next year's 16 championship events, starting with Monte Carlo in January.

"It's really a very big chance for me. After one year in rallying it's a great opportunity," said the Frenchman, who is a former national karting champion.

"This year I pushed a lot to improve myself and I will push the same as this year to improve."