Kankkunen will be present at nearly every WRC rally this season, taking on the role of team principal for Toyota’s WRC squad at several events. Jari-Matti Latvala will still be involved in Sweden’s snow rally in February, but after that, he will focus on his own driving commitments. This means Kankkunen will take over Latvala’s role whenever Latvala is absent.
Kankkunen has been working as Toyota’s ambassador and learning the ropes of team management under Latvala’s guidance since the end of last year. In some rallies during the 2025 season, the duo will be present together, but for most of the events, Kankkunen will take full responsibility.
“I’m feeling good about it. I’ve already done quite a few rallies with Jari-Matti, and I’ve worked with Toyota as an ambassador and driven demonstrations for the past two years. It’s nothing too complicated,” Kankkunen told RallyJournal.com
“We have a great team and an excellent team spirit, which is the most important thing. We also have Kaj Lindström involved, and Jarmo Lehtinen is taking care of things in Jyskä (Toyota’s headquarters in Jyväskylä). Then there’s (Yuichiro) Haruna leading from Japan. Our collaboration works really well.”
Toyota’s WRC team structure includes several leaders, each with their own responsibilities. Like Latvala, Kankkunen’s primary task will be handling media duties, but as a four-time world champion, he will naturally share his opinions when asked.
“I’ve been around for a couple of years and know all the people here. So, nothing is particularly new, and there’s no need for any magic tricks or drastic changes,” Kankkunen said.
“We’ll continue on the same path—have fun and try to win rallies.”
At the season-opening Monte Carlo Rally, Kankkunen got to celebrate his first victory at the iconic event in a management role. In fact, he should have claimed the Monte Carlo win back in 1987 during his own driving career when he was dominating the rally. However, Lancia boss Cesare Fiorio ordered Miki Biasion to take the lead over Kankkunen.
The Finn had to stop on the final stage, allowing Biasion to take the win. Despite the frustrating team orders, Kankkunen had the last laugh, clinching the world championship that year by six points ahead of his teammate.
According to Kankkunen, one of the most challenging aspects of his new role is nervously watching the drivers’ performances from the service park.
“It was a great weekend. We were a little nervous. Jari-Matti and I talked about how it was actually easier being inside the car than watching from the outside. It gets quite tense at times,” Kankkunen laughed.
“This rally was a perfect ten, with the team taking maximum points. The boys did an amazing job. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as well for the younger drivers (Takamoto Katsuta and Sami Pajari), but they’re driving well. They just need experience—you’re not born with it.”
