Marcus Grönholm master class for Kosciuszko

Michal Kosciuszko had the benefit of some of the best driver training in the business on Monday when double World Champion Marcus Gronholm gave him a Rally Sweden master class.

Gronholm joined the Lotos WRC Team at their Sweden pre-event test in Likenas to help Michał with the particular style of driving needed for Sweden and to test the team’s Motorsport Italia-prepared MINI John Cooper Works World Rally Car.

After riding with Kosciuszko, 27, Gronholm, a five-time Rally Sweden winner, had words of encouragement for the PWRC graduate: “Michal hasn’t got much experience in these conditions, but I have to say he really isn’t bad! He’s still got something to learn, but it’s a question of time and experience now to learn to feel the grip and the braking points.

“Michal’s keen to learn and pick up everything I can tell him from my experience. He listens. One day isn’t long enough to cover everything though and he also has to test his set-up. We didn’t have much time, but everything was really OK!"

Kosciuszko said: "It’s amazing to drive my MINI WRC in such conditions with the beautiful roads here in Sweden covered in snow and ice and such a legendary driver who can immediately show me where to gain time using his incredible experience.

“For me, driving on snow is virtually an unknown quantity. I haven’t done it for seven years in conditions, which demand winter tyres! I’m impressed with the MINI’s grip level, but I need to learn how to use it."