'Now for the title' - Kankkunen

He has closed to within 13 points of series leader Tommi Makinen after his victory.

'This is a great result,' he said. 'A bit overwhelming in fact!'

'This result makes it possible to take on Tommi for the championship.'

His team-mate Richard Burns took an incredible runner-up finish and could have won, despite this being only his second Rally Finland.

This event is supposed to take years to master.

'I have a great deal of respect for Richard,' admitted Kankkunen. 'It was an excellent performance.'

'As I understand, this is the best ever performance from a British driver on this event,' said Burns, 'which is a nice milestone to have achieved.

'Bear in mind I was quite apprehensive at the outset, because there were plenty of capable Finns in good cars, but I was trying so hard.

'The final element was the car, and that was faultless.'

Carlos Sainz, who was unable to beat the Subaru pair despite a charging drive, paid tribute to the winning team, admitting that he could not have caught them.

'We have been flat-out all day,' he said. 'I can't take anything away from Juha and Richard. They have driven exceptionally well.'