18 Nov 11

Citroen’s
flying
Finns

Mikko Hirvonen's shock transfer to Citroen for next season's World Rally Championship will buck a trend. Despite their record of success in the series, few Finns have driven Citroens. Here are five that have tried the make’s creations.

Toni Gardemeister (pictured above)
Took part on four rounds of the World Rally Championship in an Astra Racing-run Citroen Xsara WRC, finishing in the points on the three events he tackled in 2006 - including fourth-place finishes in Greece and Germany - and on his sole appearance in 2007.

Juho Hanninen
Better known for winning in the Super 2000 World Rally Championship with Skoda, Hanninen took part on Wales Rally GB in 2006 at the wheel of a Citroen C2 Super 1600 and beat the Junior World Rally Championship regulars in the process in 19th overall alongside former co-driver Marko Sallinen.

Juuso Pykalisto
Claimed a sole drivers’ world championship point with eighth place on Rally Italia Sardegna in a Kronos Racing-run Xsara WRC back in 2005, his third and final appearance with the Belgian team following two outings in 2004.

Kimi Raikkonen
Has just completed his second season in the World Rally Championship following his switch from Formula One. All but one of his WRC outings were in Citroens with 12 in 2010 in a C4 WRC and nine in 2011 in a DS3 WRC. His best result remains the fifth place he achieved in Turkey last year.

Janne Tuohino
After finishing third in the Junior World Rally Championship in 2002 in a Citroen Saxo VTS Super 1600, courtesy largely of his class victory on the Acropolis Rally, Tuohino returned to the Citroen marque for two runs in a Xsara WRC in 2006. The highlight was undoubtedly his sixth-place finish on home soil.