The Makinen/Mannisenmaki partnership may not be one of the longest-running in rallying but, since joining forces full-time just over two years ago, the Finnish duo have won ten FIA World Rally Championship events and claimed two World titles together. It is more than just a professional relationship inside the cockpit of the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, it has to be, such are the demands of life at the top of their chosen sport. In reality, the Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart crew of Tommi Makinen and Risto Mannisenmaki spend more time together over the course of a year than they do with their respective partners!
Makinen & Mannisenmaki: a formidable Finnish combination
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"The World Rally Championship programme is now so big that having a good relationship is one of the most important things", comments Tommi Makinen. "Me and Risto, we are good friends and have been for many years. It was very natural when we started working together".
The Finns met in their early careers when both were competing at junior level in their homeland, Risto formerly as an aspiring young driver. "I did a few rallies, but it was too expensive and I also had some big crashes and decided this was not my job!" says Risto Mannisenmaki. "One of my friends, who was also keen on rallying, bought a car and we started like this, with him driving and me co-driving. At first it was not very professional, but then I decided I really wanted to do it properly, see how high I could get. I was very keen and by the end of the ’80s I wanted to do things differently, really achieve something and concentrate on being perfect and professional; I wanted to do something more than everyone else and went to the Finnish Automobile Federation to educate myself more and get advice".
The Tommi and Risto alliance was not formed until 1998, however the Finns competed together for the first time exactly ten years previously. "I was doing the recce for the 1000 Lakes Rally in 1988 on my own because I had no co-driver", said Tommi. "By chance Risto and I met in a fuel station and I asked him what he was doing and if he would be free to do the rally with me. He was also meant to be competing but his driver had some problem, so that was it, we started together the next day!"
It was to be just one event though and Tommi then teamed up full-time with the highly experienced Seppo Harjanne, the co-driver with whom he won 11 World Rally Championship events and two World titles over eight years. "Having Seppo as my co-driver was the best idea at the time when things got a bit more serious, he had much experience and I learned a lot", said Tommi. "Risto and I had already talked about what would happen when Seppo retired, we knew each other well, were good friends, and it was no problem at all to change co-drivers after so many years. It was quite clear we would work well together. We are similar ages and enjoy the same sort of things, there are many different things to talk about and this is good and important. I don’t think he felt under pressure, it was no problem".
The Finnish duo won 10 WRC events... so far |
The Finns were a formidable combination from the outset. They took victory in Sweden in only their second event as a regular partnership and went on to win four more events in 1998 to claim the FIA World Rally Championship title. "Monte Carlo was our first event and before this we had only had one day together in the car", says Risto. "This was not the easiest rally to start with, but I had a good feeling about everything, not so much pressure. Maybe it sounds stupid, but the World Championship with a professional driver had always been my target and when I was there, it felt very right and comfortable. I used to co-drive Tapio Laukkanen and his notes were very similar, and also it was very easy to work from the notes Tommi and Seppo had made. From there, things just got better and better. For sure everyone makes mistakes, that is part of any business, but there are always more things to learn, even now".
Away from the pressures of the World Rally Championship, Tommi, Risto, their respective partners and children also have a social relationship, enjoying similar hobbies and the outdoor life. "We are good friends and enjoy skiing and roller-blading, and have organised a couple of mountain bike safaris with other friends as well", says Risto. "But it is also important to completely get away from anything to do with work, to relax with people who have nothing to do with rallying. It gives you more mental power and enthusiasm".
So what is the most important element of a successful driver/co-driver relationship? "That’s a good question!" comments Tommi. "There are many many things and it is too difficult to say, but for me getting on well is one of the most important things. We spend so much time together... this forms the basis for everything".
"Both of us want the success as much as the other", adds Risto. "We are very similar, both wanting to work hard, be professional and give one hundred percent all the time. It’s important that a driver and co-driver think and believe in the same things otherwise it will not work so well. In the car we obviously talk about how a stage went, what was positive or negative, but just to talk about this is not so good and doesn’t always help. We talk about other things as well, to help relaxation and give us more power".
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