Armin Schwarz is to return to the Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team after a two-year absence. The 40-year old German driver has signed a two-year contract with the team and will partner Škoda Motorsport's Finnish regular, Toni Gardemeister. As usual Armin will be co-driven by Manfred Hiemer.

Armin last drove for Skoda Motorsport from 1999-2001, using his extensive testing ability to develop the Octavia WRC, Škoda Motorsport's first World Rally Car. During that time he finished fourth on the 2001 Monte Carlo Rally and famously led the Safari Rally later that same year before finishing the African event in third place.

The Skoda Motorsport World Rally Team will carry out a programme of selected WRC events in 2004 with the emphasis on development of the Fabia WRC. It is anticipated that the first appearance for Armin and Toni will be the Acropolis Rally (June 4–6).