Burns tipped for future glory

The Finn, who clinched his fourth successive title at the recent Australia Rally, believes his former Mitsubishi team-mate has improved since joining Subaru this season.

Burns already has his sights on next year's title and Makinen told The Mirror newspaper that he believes his former No.2 has the credentials.

'Richard is doing very well now and I'm sure he can become world champion,' said the Finn.

'I can see how he has improved as a driver. He was quite a bit slower to start with, but he improved gradually without taking too many risks.

'He knew he had to learn and he did that.

'Now he has more experience and it is showing in his performances and results.'

Burns, winner of the event last year, is set to go head-to-head against British rival McRae, who has won the event three times.

But, 35-year-old Makinen, who has never finished higher than fourth here, insists he is a good bet to tame the British forest tracks.

He slid out of the 1998 rally after sliding on oil dumped by a historic car and aims to rid himself of the nightmare.

Makinen said, 'That was definitely the worst moment of my life because I was sure I had also lost the championship.

'This year there's a big difference because I have the championship already and I can just go flat out and concentrate on trying to win.'