Kauppinen shocked many at the Arctic Lapland Rally. The 18-year-old was only competing in his second rally in the championship’s top class and managed to beat Esapekka Lappi outright with pure pace.
Kauppinen and Virtanen’s partnership only properly kicked off at the start of this season. While Virtanen did read pace notes for Kauppinen in six rallies during the 2023 season, he officially joined the rising star as a full-time co-driver this year.
Virtanen had already reached the podium several times in the top class of the Finnish Rally Championship alongside Benjamin Korhola, but last weekend’s win marked his first career victory.
“Feels pretty good. Got the reindeer antlers with us now, so can’t complain. It tastes sweet,” Virtanen grinned.
After the season-opening SM Rally Kuopio, Kauppinen declared his goal was to win the Arctic Lapland Rally. It was only later revealed that Esapekka Lappi would also be competing in the Finnish Championship, making that victory goal seem less realistic.
But Kauppinen proved otherwise. He drove a flawless rally and managed to beat Lappi, who just last year claimed victory at the WRC’s only winter event, Rally Sweden.
Kauppinen’s performances behind the wheel of the Toyota Rally2 car have been nothing short of impressive in the two Finnish Championship rallies this season.
“This was Tuukka’s second rally with this car and our second rally together in it. And the result is a win at the Arctic Rally, so I’d say that’s not bad at all. It was a long event with all sorts of situations. We’ve worked hard for this, and here’s the result – and it’s a good one,” Virtanen said.
Virtanen also revealed Kauppinen’s ice-cold comment inside the Toyota after securing victory.
“Tuukka said on the final road section, ‘It wasn’t the plan to win.’ But he won anyway. That pretty much sums it all up,” Virtanen chuckled.
Kauppinen has become known for his cool-headed and often laconic comments. The young driver rarely shows much emotion in front of the cameras.
After his Arctic Rally victory, Kauppinen delivered yet another textbook example of his understated style in public statements.
“The last stages were clean, avoiding mistakes. That was enough.”