Juha Kankkunen has a ace up his sleeve – “I’m not completely in the dark”

Finnish rally champion Juha Kankkunen will serve as Toyota's WRC team principal at several events this season.
Juha Kankkunen
Juha Kankkunen. Photo: Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT
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Jari-Matti Latvala will still serve as team principal at Rally Sweden in mid-February, but after that, deputy team principal Kankkunen will take over as Latvala focuses on his own driving duties in the European Historic Rally Championship.

Kankkunen has been preparing for the job since the end of last season. The four-time world champion was alongside Latvala at both last year’s season finale in Japan and this season’s opener at Rally Monte-Carlo. The 64-year-old Kankkunen says he has no concerns about handling the role.

Toyota’s WRC team management structure includes several leaders, with Kankkunen being just one of them. His main tasks involve communicating with the media during rallies about the team’s status and, when necessary, discussing rally tactics with drivers and other team members.

One of the major changes this season is the switch of tyre supplier. The Hankook tyres require extensive testing and learning, but Kankkunen has a reliable source of information on the subject.

“Yeah, I’ve got to do my homework. But I have a little ace up my sleeve since the test manager happens to be my little brother (Timo Kankkunen), so I get information through him as well. I’m not completely in the dark, and I can always ask the boys if needed,” Kankkunen laughed after Rally Monte-Carlo.

Kankkunen insists he will stay in the background. The veteran trusts that the experienced drivers know exactly what they’re doing.

“The philosophy is the same as before. We’ve got such strong drivers that there’s no point for an older guy like me to start giving them too much advice. If they have questions, I’m happy to answer,” Kankkunen said.

In the season opener, two-time world champion Kalle Rovanperä couldn’t match the pace of the front-runners. However, Rovanperä secured fourth place and a solid points haul. The Finnish star will also benefit from a good starting position at the upcoming Rally Sweden.

“Kalle has some strong rallies ahead. I think this was an excellent performance from him,” Kankkunen concluded.

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