WRC - Lindstrom guides Pajunen to Group N lead

Kaj Lindstrom was a man in the limelight for the last two years, as co-driver to former Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen, when the famous ’Iceman’ switched full-time to rallying.

Now that Raikkonen has gone back to grand prix racing, Lindstrom has a new challenge: co-driving for up-and-coming fellow Finn Mikko Pajunen. The 27-year-old is making only his third FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia start on Rally Sweden this weekend, at the wheel of a Group N Subaru Impreza prepared by Tommi Makinen Racing.

Pajunen has competed in Britain for the last two years, winning the R2 class in the British Championship. He also claimed the ‘Spirit of the Rally’ award in Finland last year - his last WRC start - for a fighting drive in a Renault Clio R3.

Currently Pajunen is 18th overall in Sweden, leading the Group N runners comfortably. His main focus this year is the Finnish Championship, his first full season in a four-wheel drive car.

“I’ve been really impressed by Mikko; he’s learned a lot in a short space of time,” said Lindstrom, who won the Monte Carlo Rally alongside Tommi Makinen in 2002.

“His pace here has been really good and we’ve not had any moments even though the conditions aren’t easy. It was quite hectic for the last two years with Kimi so it’s nice to have a slightly lower profile this year.”

That won’t last long though as Pajunen is already making a name for himself. The Finn’s next WRC outing is going to be Rally Finland in August