Teemu Suninen has just enjoyed an exceptionally impressive motorsport season across multiple rallying championships, further cementing his reputation as one of the most adaptable drivers in the discipline. The Finnish driver competed successfully in two different championships, steering a Skoda Fabia in the ERC alongside co-driver Antti Haapala, where one victory and three runner-up finishes proved sufficient to secure the title before the final round of the season even concluded.
Alongside his European success, the seasoned competitor also showcased his sheer pace in the World Rally Championship behind the wheel of a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2 alongside Janni Hussi. His hard-fought campaign very nearly yielded another championship medal as he finished a strong fourth overall, missing out on the bronze position by a mere single point in a tightly contested championship battle.
Yet, more important to the Finnish star than the medals themselves has been the invaluable opportunity to prove his worth with a long-term future in mind. He firmly believes that his performances throughout the demanding campaign have successfully achieved that objective.
"I’ve achieved good results and shown that I can adapt to different cars. I know the leading Rally2 manufacturers and cars particularly well. I also have experience of how a new car might be developed. That gives me some idea of what it should be like," the driver explained regarding his extensive technical expertise.
His technical repertoire expanded significantly this year as he tested Lancia’s Rally2 machinery and evaluated the car built by Belgian outfit Project Rally One, which is slated to make its eagerly anticipated WRC debut next season. Starting the development process of an entirely new challenger from a clean sheet has provided an exceptionally educational experience.
"You have so much more freedom with all the set-up options, and the sky is the limit in terms of what you can do with the car when there aren’t so many homologated parts. You can influence the geometry, centre of gravity, suspension travel and differentials," he elaborated on the intricacies of engineering a modern rally car.
Looking ahead, new horizons are opening up following interest from Project Rally One team principal Lionel Hansen, who has already envisioned a split driver lineup featuring Teemu Suninen and French asphalt specialist Stephane Lefebvre. Hansen suggested that Lefebvre would handle asphalt events while Suninen would spearhead the gravel rallies.
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