Thierry Neuville has called on four-time world champion Tommi Makinen to adapt to the rigours of driving on snow and ice for the first time when he contests Rally Sweden from 9-12 February.
Neuville, who is contesting a minimum nine-event campaign in the FIA World Rally Championship powered by Nokia in a Citroen DS3 WRC this season, has never tackled a snow-based event before.
Makinen, a triple Rally Sweden winner, operates a snow-driving course alongside his hugely successful car preparation business in his native Finland. Neuville attended for three days and received tuition from Makinen, Kimi Raikkonen’s former navigator Kaj Lindstrom and ex-British champion Tapio Laukkanen.
“Since 2008 Neuville has primarily competed on Tarmac and gravel,” said Makinen. “He entered our rally school for improving his skills on snow and icy surfaces. In three school days Neuville showed his professionalism, took on board what he’d learned and showed his talent. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s successful in Sweden.”
Belgian rising star Neuville, 23, is planning to take things steady when he makes his Rally Sweden debut next week.
“I’ve never raced in conditions like these and so I don’t know quite what to expect,” said Neuville. “I’m going to have to learn about how studded tyres work on ice and snow, so I fully expect for it to feel fairly strange. My aim is just to make it to the finish, no more than that. I am just starting to learn about the WRC and I have to rack up the miles on the road. We have been fortunate enough to join a very professional team and we’ll be listening to all the advice we are given to try and do a good job.”