Markku Alén

Markku Alén (Helsinki, Finland, 15 February 1951) is a former Finnish rally driver and one of the great figures of the World Championship during the 1970s and 1980s. A works driver for Fiat and Lancia, he achieved 19 World Championship victories with cars such as the Fiat 131 Abarth, Lancia Stratos, Lancia Rally 037, Delta S4 and Delta Integrale. In 1978 he won the FIA Cup for Rally Drivers, the forerunner of the world drivers' championship, and in 1986 he finished runner-up in one of the most controversial seasons in WRC history. A specialist on gravel and snow, he won the Rally Finland/1000 Lakes Rally six times and is regarded as one of the fastest and most spectacular drivers of his generation.