Suninen was last seen in the World Rally Championship in 2023 and 2024. In 2023, he competed in a few rallies in the top class with Hyundai’s Rally1 car and was able to demonstrate his pace.
Despite the promising performances, Suninen did not secure a seat in the top class at all in 2024, and giving proof of his abilities with Hyundai’s Rally2 car proved impossible, as Hyundai’s machinery simply did not work at all.
However, the unfortunate setbacks did not cause the Finn to give up. Next season, he is seriously aiming to build a path back to the top.
“This season’s objective is clearly aimed at the years 2027 and 2028,” Suninen reveals in an interview with Rallyjournal.
“If I could get to drive a few chances to show what I can do in WRC2, that would be a big thing,” Suninen continues.
Suninen is not yet able to promise anything, but his return to the World Rally Championship still looks likely.
“It is very much a work in progress. That is what we are aiming for,” Suninen says.
The World Rally Championship is a harsh environment. The phrase familiar from other sports, “you are only as good as your last competition”, also applies very well to rallying.
“If you can put together a few good performances, it will surely bring your name back into everyone’s mind again,” Suninen says.
Suninen feels that he still has a lot to give. Even at the absolute top level.
“I feel that my age and experience would be perfect for working with the new cars. And on top of that, the motivation to drive and compete with them,” Suninen underlined.
Suninen’s plan sounds quite sensible in itself. In 2027, new technical regulations will come into force, which are hoped to bring new manufacturers into the World Rally Championship. Through that, a completely new kind of opportunity could also open up for Suninen to realise his big dream.
