Kovalainen, 43, has spent recent years competing primarily in the Japanese Rally Championship, where he has secured two titles in the top category. In 2023, he also took part in Finland’s national championship.
Last year, Kovalainen underwent open-heart surgery but made a swift recovery and returned to competition in Japan during the summer. This year, in addition to racing in Japan, he will also contest selected rounds of the Italian Rally Championship, which kicks off this coming weekend.
Kovalainen will line up for the season-opening Rally Il Ciocco in a Citroen C3 Rally2, serviced by the Gino Rally Invest team. His Italian rally programme is also supported by Citroen Racing.
The former Formula 1 driver will be co-driven by Patric Öhman, with whom he competed in a smaller Italian rally last year in a Citroen C3 WRC. In 2025, Kovalainen plans to take part in multiple tarmac events in Italy alongside Öhman.
“I have always had a special connection with Italy since my F1 days. At the end of last year, I had the opportunity to take part in a few rallies, which I really enjoyed.”
“This season, I want to gain more experience in tarmac rallies, and I was given the chance to compete in the Italian Rally Championship with Gino Rally Invest. I know the level of competition is extremely high, and I have a lot to learn, but I’m really looking forward to this challenge and to meeting the passionate Italian motorsport fans,” Kovalainen adds.
The Gino Rally Invest team became familiar to Kovalainen last season when he competed in two events with them. His plan for 2025 is to take part in around four rallies in Italy, as three rounds of the championship clash with events in the Japanese Rally Championship.
“The level of competition in Italy is incredibly tough, so it could be a steep learning curve. But this will be a great way for me to gain more experience.”
The Rally Il Ciocco will feature a total of 12 special stages, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
