Vatanen fills Volkswagen's line-up

Vatanen and co-driver Fabrizia Pons will fill the fourth cockpit in the Volkswagen factory team.

"We're delighted to have signed Ari Vatanen, which gives us the chance to welcome another seasoned and successful driver to the Volkswagen team," said Volkswagen Motorsport Director Kris Nissen.

"In addition to bringing the experience of four victories in the Dakar Rally to the team, he's loaded with knowledge from traditional rally racing - an extremely rare combination."

Fifty-four-year-old Vatanen, a Dakar winner in 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991, had already tested the Race Touareg in Tunisia and Morocco earlier this year.

"I'm looking forward to this new challenge," said Vatanen. "Volkswagen has been pursuing the 'Dakar' project with great ambition and a high level of motivation - I wanted to be part of that.

"In tests I've already gotten to know the Race Touareg and the team. I'm convinced that the car, the squad - myself included - will have a chance for victory."

Vatanen will partner South African Giniel de Villiers, this year's runner-up in the Dakar, two-time world rally champion Carlos Sainz, and American Mark Miller, fifth in the rally this year.

The Finn driver last took part in the Dakar in 2004.