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Dream comes true for former ERC champion Hänninen

Juho Hänninen, who won the FIA European Rally Championship in 2012, has landed a dream drive for next season's world championship, signing a one-year deal with Toyota's returning factory team.

Finn Hänninen (pictured left) has joined TOYOTA GAZOO Racing led by his famous compatriot and four-time WRC champion Tommi Mäkinen (right), having performed a key test and development role behind the wheel of the all-new Yaris WRC. Kaj Lindström will co-drive.

"This really feels like a dream come true," said Hänninen, whose ERC success came during his successful stint with ŠKODA Motorsport. "Joining a works team with such potential for a full season is a real opportunity for me. We have been working together since the car's first outing, so that makes it all the more exciting and motivating. The Yaris WRC is incredible. I can't wait to get started at Rallye Monte-Carlo."

The 2016 ERC season concluded in Cyprus earlier this month with Alexey Lukyanuk scoring his second win of the year to cement the coveted runner-up spot behind champion Kajetan Kajetanowicz. Wojciech Chuchała and Chris Ingram were crowned ERC2 and ERC3 champions respectively, Catie Munnings claimed the Ladies' award with Marijan Griebel taking the prestigious ERC Junior crown.

Zdroj: fiaerc.com