Mitsubishi: Hanging on with aging weapon

The Mitsubishi Lancer is finally showing its age

Victory in the season's first event, in Monte Carlo, was something of a false dawn for Mitsubishi and Tommi Makinen, chasing an unprecedented fifth consecutive world rally championship.

Since then, though, Makinen, arguably the finest rally driver in the world, has been there or thereabouts, but not really a feature in the thick of the championship battle.

The Lancer has been the dominant car in world rallying since 1996, and Tommi Makinen's four world title owed as much to his car's speed, consistency and reliability as to his own skills behind the wheel.

But, built to the old Group A regulations, it is showing its age, and Mitsubishi is preparing a new car. That will be built to the same World Rally Car rules which Subaru, Peugeot and Ford are now exploiting to their advantage, which will make its debut some time next year.

Until then, Makinen must soldier on with the Lancer. Somewhat out-gunned now, the Lancer is still close enough to the pace, and Makinen still good enough, to benefit if the leading runners slip up.

And on an event as treacherous as the Rally GB, they should not be ruled out. As his win in Australia proved, even though it was ultimately taken away for a technical infringement, there is life in the old dog yet.