Makinen gets new co-driver for Oz
Finland's Timo Hantunen will partner Tommi Makinen on Rally Australia while the former world champion's regular co-driver Risto Mannisenmaki recovers from his injuries sustained in Corsica over the weekend
Following a successful four-hour operation on Monday to stabilise a fractured vertebra, Mannisenmaki is described to be in a comfortable condition by Mitsubishi Ralliart's team doctor Paul Trafford, who said the operation went "very well".
Trafford was present during the operation alongside two neuro-surgeons, and was impressed with the level of expertise displayed by the French medical team in Marseille, where Risto has been since the accident last Friday.
Mannisenmaki's family spent the night with him following the operation and he is already moving his legs and looking forward to returning home this Saturday. He will be transferred by air ambulance to Finland, where he will begin his recuperation.
He is expected to make a full recovery and Trafford has estimated that Mannisenmaki will be back in a rally car either later this year or early in 2002.
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