Kankkunen has on several occasions this year filled in for Jari-Matti Latvala, who has focused on his own driving duties, competing in the European Historic Rally Championship together with Janni Hussi.
Kankkunen, 66, won four world championships during his career. The experienced rally man has seen it all in his beloved sport, and now he has been able to share his expertise with Toyota’s drivers.
Toyota’s season has once again been very successful, and Kankkunen has played a significant role in that success.
He has acted as a sort of father figure for the drivers, supporting each of them in meaningful ways whenever needed.
“Juha of course has an enormous amount of experience. And I think Juha always brings a really positive feeling to our work,” Toyota’s Finnish star Kalle Rovanperä enthused to Autosport.
According to Rovanperä, the good relationship between the pair also extends beyond work.
“I’m really good friends with Juha,” Rovanperä confirmed.
Toyota’s Elfyn Evans has found himself in a mentally difficult position at times this season. The Welshman began his campaign with one second place and two victories, climbing to a clear lead in the drivers’ world championship. Over the summer, however, Evans has clearly suffered from his role as road-sweeper, which has also been reflected in the points table.
Kankkunen, though, has managed to support Evans.
“He knows the pressure we are competing under,” Evans said.
“He has done exactly the same job and has been in similar situations himself. It’s just fantastic that we have someone like Juha in our team,” Evans continued his praise.
According to Evans, Kankkunen acts as a shoulder for the drivers – whenever needed.
“There’s no pressure from him, and he’s always ready to help if we need him,” Evans lauded.
Kankkunen’s humane approach will likely be much needed over the remainder of the season, as the world rally championship title fight continues fiercely and evenly balanced. Evans leads the standings by just three points ahead of Rovanperä before the World Rally Championship round in Paraguay at the end of August.
