Teemu Suninen

Teemu Suninen started his motorsport career in karting, achieving both Finnish Championship gold and European Championship bronze. In the 2012 season, Suninen competed in rallycross before switching to rallying in 2013.

His debut at the World Rally Championship was at the 2014 Rally Finland, where he dominated the WRC3 class. His first victory in the WRC2 class came in Wales in 2015. In the 2016 season, Suninen secured three WRC2 class wins.

Suninen made his WRC car debut at the 2017 Rally Poland, finishing an impressive sixth. He improved to fourth place in the next round in Finland. During the 2018 season, Suninen competed in almost a full season in WRC car – except for Rally Monte Carlo, where he drove a Fiesta in the WRC2 class. He achieved his first podium finish in the WRC in Portugal in May 2018.

The 2019 season was Suninen’s first full season driving a WRC car. The highlight was a second-place finish in Sardinia with new co-driver Jarmo Lehtinen.

In the 2020 season, Suninen continued with M-Sport Ford. His best result during the pandemic-affected season was a third place at the Rally Mexico. However, the year was challenging due to financial difficulties that limited M-Sport’s testing.

The year 2021 was particularly difficult for Suninen with the British team. He left the team after Belgian Rally. At the Rally Finland, he impressed by winning the WRC2 class. Afterwards, Suninen found a seat with Hyundai, competing in Catalonia. In Spain, Suninen finished second in the WRC2 class driving the still-developing i20 N Rally2 car. For Rally Monza, he was given a Hyundai WRC car, as Ott Tänak did not participate due to family reasons.

In the 2022 season, Suninen competed in seven WRC rallies in the WRC2 class with Hyundai, reaching the podium in Estonia, Catalonia, and Japan. However, his class win at Rally Finland was later disqualified.

Suninen continued as a driver for Hyundai’s WRC2 team in 2023. During the season, he was promoted to share driving duties in Hyundai’s third Rally1 car with Dani Sordo. He competed in four top-class rallies, with his best result being fourth place at Rally Finland.