First pics: Makinen's Subaru debut

With the contract wrangle with world champion Richard Burns and Peugeot over, the Subaru team has been getting on with preparations for next year and helping Burns' replacement settle in.

Makinen, who has turned his back on a seven-year partnership with Mitsubishi to move to Subaru, declared himself happy with his new machine.

"It's very good and I'm very happy to see how the team is working," said Makinen. "The car has so much potential. I have made a lot of changes already to the transmission and there are lots of possibilities. It is very nice."

The flying Finn ran near Col du Brau in the French Alps as preparation for the next year's season-opening event in Monte Carlo. Not only is it a new car for Makinen, but also new tyres as he changes from Michelin to Pirelli rubber.

"It is the whole package," he said when asked what had impressed him most. "Every area is strong. The balance is very good, it's very easy to drive and the tyres seem to be very progressive."

Makinen finished third in the championship this year after retiring from Rally GB on the opening Leg. The 37-year-old admits that it is too early to be making title predictions for next year, but admits he is optimistic after his debut run.

"At the moment it's looking very good and I'm very positive," he said. "Of course it's early days and I have no idea about other conditions yet, but so far so good."