The 31-year-old Suninen did not contest a single rally last season. Earlier this week, he revealed that his goal is to compete in a handful of WRC events this year in Rally2 machinery and to prove himself with an eye on 2027.
Read more: Teemu Suninen drops a news bomb
But that may not be all. According to motorsport-focused Finnish outlet UrheiluUutiset.com, Suninen could already be in action at the second round of the WRC season in Sweden in February. The report states that Suninen would drive a Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, with Janni Hussi alongside him as co-driver.
It is understood that, in addition to the Swedish snow rally, Suninen and Hussi are planning to contest two further WRC events.
“I won’t deny that I’ve looked into the subject and how a package for Sweden could be put together, but we’re still a long way off. There’s still a long road to go,” Suninen commented cautiously to UrheiluUutiset.com.
Hussi began her co-driving career just over three years ago. Last season, she read the pace notes for Jari-Matti Latvala in the European Historic Rally Championship. Latvala secured the championship title, but Hussi did not receive the co-drivers’ title as she had to miss two rounds. Hussi also worked last year in Toyota’s WRC team as part of the gravel crew at asphalt rallies.
Latvala is competing again this year in the European Historic Rally Championship and has asked Hussi to join him once more. According to Latvala, however, Hussi has been looking for an opportunity in the World Rally Championship – and that opportunity could now open up alongside Suninen.
Suninen contested four WRC rounds in 2023 in Hyundai’s Rally1 car and attempted to secure a factory seat with Hyundai for the 2024 season. That opportunity did not materialise, but he went on to compete in five WRC events in a Hyundai Rally2 car. The season proved difficult, as Hyundai’s package was not particularly competitive.
Last year, Suninen focused on coaching duties and acted as a mentor to several rising talents. Now, it looks increasingly likely that the Finnish driver will return to competitive action behind the wheel in the WRC.
“If you can put together a few good performances, it will surely bring your name back into everyone’s mind again,” Suninen told RallyJournal.com.
“I feel that my age and experience would be perfect for working with the new cars. And on top of that, I still have the motivation to drive and compete them,” Suninen underlined.
New technical regulations will be introduced in the WRC’s top class in 2027, with the aim of increasing competition and attracting new manufacturers. That could also open a fresh opportunity for Suninen to pursue his long-held ambition.
