Vatanen announces vice-presidents

The former world rally champion will be backed in his campaign for the October 23 election by Ivan Dibos from Peru, Mike Harris from Australia, Earl Jarrett from Jamaica, Niklaus Lundsgaard-Hansen from Switzerland, Peter Meyer from Germany, Tim Shearman from Canada and Maria Spetz from Sweden.

Speaking about the cabinet members, Vatanen said: "This is a first-class team and all its members came on board spontaneously because they all want to make a change together with me.

"We have people from all regions, north and south, east and west, bigger and smaller clubs, so the team is well-balanced. I am particularly happy for two reasons: firstly because we have also a lady (Maria Spetz) on the team and secondly that Jamaica has chosen to join us.

"The first ever rally I drove outside of Finland was actually in Jamaica, back in 1975, so I have something like a sweet spot for Jamaica - which by the way has a successful track record in sports, too! I feel that it is a big circle in life closing."