Jarmo Lehtinen

With over a decade of rallying experience Jarmo Lehtinen has turned a lifelong passion into a successful career.

As co-driver to Mikko Hirvonen, Lehtinen is the calm to Mikko’s storm, guiding the wheelman every step of the way and even able to deliver pace notes sideways at 130km/h.

His favourite spot in the world? He replies emphatically: "In the co-driver's seat of Mikko's car..."

His professional involvement in rallying began in 1988 when a friend asked him to co-drive.

"His favourite spot is in the co-driver's seat of Mikko's car"

After much junior rally success, and a stint in the Finnish army’s motor pool on national service, Lehtinen attended a school for professional rally co-drivers.

With his new skills, Lehtinen partnered a series of drivers throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, before getting the nod to partner Mikko Hirvonen when the Finn first graduated to the Ford Word Rally M-Sport team in 2002.

Factory drive awaits

The pair moved to Subaru for 2004 as team-mate to reigning champion Petter Solberg. But, despite a solid season, Hirvonen and Lehtinen found themselves on the sidelines in a privateer Ford Focus run alongside the works cars by M-Sport for 2005.

Impressive showings netted a return to the works BP Ford World Rally team for 2006 and, after winning their first event together in Australia, Lehtinen and Hirvonen stepped up their pace in 2007, winning three rallies on their way to third in the drivers’ standings.

Mikko Hirvonen and co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen getting it sideways on Rally Norway

In 2008, the pair became the lead driver duo in the BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team, and three wins and consistent points finishes allowed them to step up to second place in the end-of-year drivers’ rankings. The following season was even better, with four wins and 11 podiums from 12 rallies putting the pair right in contention for the title – just one point behind champion Sébastien Loeb after the final round of the season.

Lehtinen will be alongside Hirvonen every step of the way in 2010 as the duo aim to go one better come the end of the season in Wales.