Just like in February at Rally Sweden, the 27-year-old driver from Finland had to settle for sixth place in the WRC2 class. Joona is in his second season competing in a Rally2 car, having won the WRC3 class championship in 2022.
Joona admitted to RallyJournal.com in Croatia that it’s time to start seeing results in the second highest class of the WRC. The Finnish driver will compete next with his co-driver Janni Hussi in Portugal in a couple of weeks.
“We’ve competed there three times before and gathered experience. Last year we were in Portugal with a Rally2 car, so now the goal is to make it to the podium. We’re heading there with the mindset that the gravel suits us and we’re aiming for a strong finish,” Joona asserted.
The competition on the Portuguese gravel is incredibly tough. Joona will face the likes of Teemu Suninen, Oliver Solberg, Kris Meeke, Gus Greensmith, and Pierre-Louis Loubet, all of whom have experience in the sport’s top class.
“The level is extremely high. The last time we competed on gravel in the WRC was in Greece, and we found a good rhythm and speed,” Joona reflected.
“These are similar types of races. Portugal might be even tougher, although some might say otherwise. Of course, it also depends on the weather.”
The schedule for the 2024 season is clear to Joona and his team, though he isn’t ready to disclose the exact number of rallies.
“We have the framework set up, but all I can say for certain is that we will rally in Finland. We try to choose rallies that we have competed in before, so we have some experience to build on,” Joona summarized.
