The top 10 WRC drivers, 2000-2009
Eras have overlapped during the last decade of the World Rally Championship, but David Evans lists his top 10 drivers of 2000-2009
10. Tommi Makinen
Mitsubishi, Subaru
WRC starts: 56
Wins: 5
Titles: 0
Makinen's fourth and final drivers' title might have come in the last year of the last millennium, but the Finn remained a towering force in the WRC well into the 2000s. After utter domination through the late-90s, the 2000 evolution of Makinen's beloved Group A Mitsubishi Lancer was found wanting when it came up against the new generation of World Rally Cars - namely the Peugeot 206 WRC.
He did win Monte, however, and again in 2001 - when he came within three points of collecting a fifth title courtesy of a dogged campaign and despite the arrival of Mitsubishi's own woeful WRC. His two-year stint at Subaru only netted him one more win, but his mentoring of Petter Solberg undoubtedly helped the Norwegian to the 2003 title.
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