It’s an intriguing time to be a Rally2 driver in the World Rally Championship.
For years, the next step has seemed impossible. Despite plenty proving worthy of a ticket, the entry gates to the Rally1 club have been closed to the next generation.
2027 is the year that’s all supposed to change. The FIA knows they won’t all commit, but we’re told more than 10 tuners are interested in the new set of technical regulations. And then of course there’s the fact Rally2 cars will be able to compete directly with Rally1.
It’s the opportunity so many have been waiting for – not just the unproven drivers.
What if you’re a driver already with Rally1 experience but without a valid ticket for entry? What if you’re over 30 yet still eager to prove your worth to anybody who’ll listen?
What if you’re Teemu Suninen?
Suninen hasn't appeared in the WRC since 2024, but has plenty he still wants to prove
Demoted to Hyundai’s Rally2 program after receiving five Rally1 opportunities in 2023, the Finn hasn’t rallied at all since Rally Finland in 2024, 18 months ago.
But next week he’s back; competing in WRC2 at Rally Sweden with a new car, a new co-driver and a new team with one clear target in mind.
To get back to the top of world rallying.
“It’s not been easy to be on the sides,” Suninen tells DirtFish. “But I wanted to come back with a clear good goal or target, and now we have it ready.
“I would say there is a good amount of rumors that there would be new teams coming to WRC and there might be some generation switch, or when older drivers are retiring, and that might make some more room for the young drivers,” he says.
“And then I feel to be in a really good age as a rally driver; that I have a good amount of experience from the different types of cars from different brands, and still have a good amount of years left in my career.
“At the moment we have only one race [in Sweden] but we are working to get more and hopefully we can get some more rounds to do. [But] I see it as good preparation to get the driving feeling back and then to be ready when hopefully teams are choosing the drivers for the next year.”
You’ve got to be in it to win it, as the old adage goes. Suninen’s got pedigree unlike many of the rivals he’ll line up against in Umeå, but that counts for nothing if he doesn’t get himself out there and really show it.
That’s what this Rally Sweden is all about.
“It was a big disappointment when I was not given a [Rally1] seat,” he reflects. “That was a big disappointment for me and for a while it felt quite difficult. But let’s say in a few weeks I made my target to be in the motorsport anyway, and that’s why I was coaching the drivers so that I stayed in motorsport and I’m studying all the stages and that was the way to keep me in the sport, a way to keep me motivated for rallying.
“But I just wanted to return when I knew I’d have a good package and knew I’d be able to fight for the wins.”
Suninen has secured himself the right car: a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, which won the last two WRC2 titles. He’s got himself a good co-driver: Janni Hussi, whose reputation is only continuing to grow. But he is low on seat-time relative to his competition.
Suninen's more experienced than most of his Rally2 rivals, but not in recent years
“Most of them have done Rally Sweden last year, plus they did the Arctic,” Suninen says. “Even though I’m a more experienced driver, I still believe it’s not going to be easy to win or even to be on the podium.
“I just need to focus on myself, do the best results I can, focus on our package and do the best.
“The target is to win, but…” he pauses, “I understand also the circumstances now. It’s been one and a half years since I’ve been driving last time, so I understand it might be a bit challenging to get back to the rhythm.
“I need to see a bit how it goes at the beginning and then at least I try to progress and have good pace in the end.”
Suninen’s record in Sweden is solid if unspectacular, with a best finish of eighth (2018 and 2020) in World Rally Car machinery but two second places in the R5/Rally2 category (2016 and 2017).
Suninen's record in Sweden is strong in R5/Rally2 cars, with two second places
But what he’s achieved in the past won’t affect his present. His years of experience are a definite advantage for the future, but it won’t help him race today’s crop of burgeoning Rally2 stars. He must prove he is as fast, or faster, than them for it to become relevant.
Succeed in that regard however, and Suninen should position himself handsomely in a driver market that’ll soon explode if more teams do indeed arrive in the service park. If he’s just as quick as the rest in the queue, but comes complete with knowledge of other manufacturers and regulation rulesets, why wouldn’t you take him on?
“Hopefully I can come back as a stronger driver and really show off to everyone that I am the experienced and motivated driver, that they should really want to have me.”
