Tommi Mäkinen, a four-time consecutive World Rally Champion, reminisces about his successful years from 1996 to 1999 with the Mitsubishi Lancer. He notes that while the Lancer wasn't always the fastest car on the rally circuit, its reliability was key to his victories. Mäkinen acknowledges that many of the race retirements during that period were often due to driver error rather than vehicle performance.

In sharing a humorous anecdote from 1999, Mäkinen recounts participating in a champions' race, where he drove the championship-winning Lancer and, surprisingly, managed a time that was surpassed by a customer version of the Toyota Corolla, showcasing both the fun and unpredictability of rally racing. He states that despite driving an array of cars throughout his career, the Mitsubishi Lancer holds a unique place in his heart.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mäkinen participated in 139 World Championship rallies, securing 24 victories. His achievements and experiences serve not only as a testament to his skill as a driver but also to the enduring legacy of the cars that defined his journey in the competitive world of rally racing.