Suninen Wants Manufacturer Seat After ERC Title Push

Teemu Suninen is in the form of his life. Over the past seven weeks, the Finn has scored one win and four second places across two World Rally Championship rounds and three European Rally Championship events, putting him in pole position for a maiden ERC title.

Second place at Barum Czech Rally Zlin last week leaves Suninen 25 points clear of nearest rival Andrea Mabellini. He also sits second in the WRC2 standings, though with no further rounds scheduled, his title hopes against leader Robert Virves look slim.

A string of strong drives on different surfaces – including one win and two podiums on asphalt – means he feels he has “proven his point,” as he wrote in his recent Club DirtFish column. Now he hopes key decision makers with a long-term vision in rallying have taken notice.

Read AlsoToyota boss gives cryptic answer on 2027 car numbers – 'Maybe three, maybe two'

“I hope there is a team that looks a bit further than just next year,” said Suninen. “I also hope there is a team that realizes I can jump in any car, on any surface, and that I have a really good understanding of all the Rally2 cars – the positives and the negatives of every brand’s car. So I believe I will be one of the fastest and most experienced guys to help make a car for the new regulations cycle. That’s my belief.”

“I wish that someone will see this and needs me for this, as I don’t think there’s another driver that has all this experience from racing all these cars recently. Plus we have pace on our side,” he added.

It’s a huge turnaround from a year ago, when Suninen went a full season without a single rally start, focusing instead on driver coaching. His 2024 campaign with a semi-works Hyundai i20 N Rally2 yielded only two non-points finishes and three retirements.

“Honestly, I was questioning [my future],” said Suninen. “If rally is like this, I won’t continue. If I can’t enjoy it or do it well, I’m happy to do something else. But I really appreciate the chance I got this year and getting to go to a good level, to do the sport at the level I want to do it.”

“For sure [the 2025 hiatus] helped because it gave me a bit more time to see the full picture of rallying and how events go. As a driver you can just see your part and that’s it. If you watch from TV you can see much more happening for every driver, and all the moments others are having.”

Suninen can wrap up the ERC title in Wales if results go his way. Yet even if his title bid ends in success and still no major manufacturer comes calling, he insists another year at the same level would help prove his worth.

“It’s hard to say what’s coming,” he said of the 2027 WRC field. “But even if I should drive next year in a Rally2 car I wouldn’t see any problem. The cars are quick enough and I can still show my pace.”