Subaru partnership of Mäkinen and Lindström confirmed for 2003
Finnish duo set to capitalise on experience gained in 2002 [22/11/02 - 22:05]




Tommi Makinen

he 555 Subaru World Rally Team announced today that 33-year-old Kaj Lindström will continue in his role as co-driver to Tommi Mäkinen for the whole of the 2003 WRC season. British Championship winner in 1999, Lindström was initially drafted in as a temporary substitute for Tommi's regular co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki, who was injured in an accident during the 2001 Tour de Corse.

Unfortunately however, the seriousness of Risto's injuries meant that he was unable to resume his co-driving duties this year. Instead Lindström, who first partnered Mäkinen on the 2001 Rally of Great Britain, remained in the co-driver's seat for the whole of the Finn's debut season with Subaru.

"Kaj joined the team at the beginning of the year in difficult circumstances following Risto's injuries. Throughout the season, he and Tommi developed a very good working relationship both in the car, and as part of the team,” 555 Subaru Team Principal David Lapworth said. “In order to build on this, and enable us to focus on the 2003 campaign we feel it better to confirm now that they will continue to work together next year, rather than leave any uncertainty.”

“At the beginning of 2002 we were optimistic that Tommi and Risto would be able to renew their partership and the team was looking forward to working with them both, unfortunately though Risto's recovery took longer than originally expected. During the year Tommi and Kaj's working relationship developed positively, so the team and Tommi felt it better to capitalise on this good experience and ask Kaj to remain as co-driver. It's a decision that I believe will give them a firm foundation for success in 2003."