Novikov set for Finland return

Evgeny Novikov is set to make a one-off return to the WRC at Rally Finland.

The Russian has not competed since ending a disappointing 2013 campaign with the Qatar Ford World Rally Team at Wales Rally GB.

However, M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson said it was likely 23-year-old Novikov would return for the eighth round of the season on 31 July - 3 August.

“The plan is to try and get him back for Rally Finland. It would be a one-off appearance in a World Rally Car, as part of an arrangement that is carried over from last year,” said Wilson, who confirmed that the choice of rally was Novikov’s.

Novikov worked as part of WRC 2 leader Yuriy Protasov’s safety crew at Rallye Monte-Carlo.