Markku Alén

Despite the heartbreak, Alén’s spirit, consistency, and championship-level performance earned him legendary status in the sport.

• Fiat 131 Abarth: Delivered numerous victories in the late 1970s as Fiat’s lead driver on tarmac and gravel.
• Lancia Rally 037: Alén’s mastery of this rear-wheel-drive machine made him a standout in the early Group B era.
• Lancia Delta S4: A turbo- and supercharged AWD monster that brought him to the brink of the 1986 title.

Alén’s aggressive but refined driving helped extract every ounce of speed from these machines, often in treacherous conditions.

Alén was known for his all-out, emotionally charged style behind the wheel. He drove with heart and fire, often pushing cars beyond their limits. His fierce determination made him a rally icon during the Group B era, and his interviews and in-stage aggression became part of rally folklore. Though he never earned a formal championship title, many regard him as one of the greatest to never win one. His catchphrase "Now maximum attack!" defined his fearless approach to the sport.

Alén’s partnership with co-driver Ilkka Kivimäki spanned over a decade and was one of the longest-lasting collaborations in rally history. Their shared Finnish precision and mutual trust made them a formidable team. Kivimäki’s calm delivery of pace notes perfectly complemented Alén’s emotional energy, creating a duo capable of conquering everything from Monte Carlo’s icy tarmac to the dust of the Acropolis.