Hannu Mikkola, the former World Rally Champion has passed away at the age of 78.

One of the best rally drivers of the ’70’s and ‘80’s, Mikkola drove for Ford and Audi and was affectionately known as the "Flying Finn". He won his only World Rally Championship in 1983 and Finland's notoriously unnerving 1000 Lakes Rally seven times.
 

Mikkola began his career at Volvo, won his first World Rally Championship race in a Ford Escort and secured his only championship with Audi in a Quattro which ushered in the four-wheel drive revolution.
 

He came close to winning his first title several years earlier, finishing runner-up to Bjorn Waldegard in 1979 and Walter Rohrl the following year.
 

Mikkola would go on to join Mazda before he retired professionally from motorsport in 1993, with a career total of 18 wins on the WRC stage, the last coming in Kenya in 1987.