Thirty-two-year-old Kaj has a wealth of experience competing in Britain, most notably with fellow countryman Tapio Laukkanen, the duo having taken the British Rally Championship title in 1999 with three outright victories. Kaj also won the Finnish Championship in 1997, claimed the Formula 2 crown in 1998 as well as the Formula 2 victory on Britain’s round of the World Championship, and finished an impressive fifth overall in last year’s Rally Australia.

While the Mikkeli born Finn is under no illusion that stepping into Risto Mannisenmaki’s boots will be easy, he is nevertheless relishing the prospect of aiding Makinen as he fights for his fifth world title.

"Obviously I’m very pleased that Tommi picked me to help him", said Kaj. "It’s a bit of a two-sided mirror though, knowing that I am doing it because Risto is still recovering, and for sure it will be very difficult to substitute him, but I’m happy to be the one to try. Working with Tommi will be different, as every driver is an individual, but we have three days of testing and that will help of course. I will also spend some time with Risto, have a chat and ask lots of questions. For sure it will be very difficult, but I believe we have enough time to sort everything out".

In its preparation for the Rally of Great Britain, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart will leave nothing to chance, all too aware that of the four drivers vying for the title, the winner will take all. Just three points separate Colin McRae, Tommi Makinen and Richard Burns and, while Carlos Sainz is nine points adrift of the lead, the Spaniard is still in with a chance of victory.

Makinen will be in Wales next week testing the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC and honing the settings to suit the conditions so representative of Great Britain. With the winter nights drawing in, rain, mud and fog are all probabilities on what will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting finales to the FIA World Rally Championship.