Makinen looks for Australian finish

The 35-year-old Finn could secure his fourth consecutive World Rally Championship for Mitsubishi at the event - which starts next Thursday.

Makinen, who is six points ahead of championship rival Didier Auriol [58-52], will clinch the title if he wins, or takes a four-point lead over Toyota driver Auriol in Australia.

However, if Auriol ensures that he finishes less than four points adrift of Makinen, he will go into the final round of the series in Great Britain with a chance of snatching the title from beneath the Finn's nose.

'Everything is at stake in this event and we must finish ahead of Tommi [Makinen],' said the Frenchman.

'I have had some good results in Australia, we go well there and we must try to win.

'It is a nice rally, although the roads are very slippery, narrow and quite fast. The trees are very close to the road as well, you only have to be a centimetre too sideways to hit one, take a wheel off and the rally is over.'