Teemu Suninen fell short of the more experienced drivers in Hyundai’s driver selections. Manager Timo Jouhki believes that the team analyzed its options incorrectly.
Rally manager Timo Jouhki wonders why Teemu Suninen didn’t get a seat from Hyundai. Miika Wuorela
The Hyundai team, which runs the World Rally Series, published the last names of its driver line-up on Wednesday. The top drivers will lead the team next season Ott Tänak and Thierry Neuville. Esapekka Lappi, Dani Sordo and Andreas Mikkelsen share a third car.
In particular, the choice of the Norwegian striker Mikkelsen was regrettable for Finns, because he passed the one who was in line Teemu Suninen in the last meters. In the finished WRC season, Suninen drove a number of races by Craig Breen on the farm and had also signed a driver’s contract with the team, but now the man’s race calendar looks completely empty.
Suninen’s manager Timo Jouhki to clarify that the contract in the pocket did not contain promises about competitions.
– The competitions will be arranged separately by mid-December. If they are not agreed upon, then it is a void agreement, says Jouhki.
“It’s a miracle”
Esapekka Lappi and Teemu Suninen were seen as too similar drivers in the manager’s opinion. Juuso Taipale
Jouhki and Suninen found out about the choices weeks ago.
They surprised the manager. Jouhki thinks that Hyundai misjudged Suninen’s strengths and that is why Mikkelsen, who is five years older, will take his place.
– I think things have clearly been viewed from the wrong angle. If there’s anything I’d like to comment on at this point: they now have Mikkelsen as an asphalt specialist, but in my opinion, Dani Sordo has proven that he’s an asphalt specialist his whole damn career.
– If someone from Mikkelsen is that specialist now, it’s a miracle. On the other hand, this motivates Dan to the most violent rallies, where he was quite good, nothing in that.
Suninen and teammate Esapekka Lappi were seen as too similar drivers.
– Both are considered drivers of fast races. Yes, that may be the case, but if we look at the results of last season, Teemu’s best results have come specifically in adventure rallies. In Sardinia he has led the rally, was second in Mexico…
The competition in Chile also went well to a certain point. Suninen drove out in the second last special stage, but before that he was handsomely second in the race and in the fight for victory. It was proof that the man has the talent to challenge the tops.
– I wonder if they at Hyundai know how to evaluate things correctly, says the rally manager.
Suninen would also have an advantage in terms of age, as Sordo, 40, and Mikkelsen, 34, are no longer actual driver promises.
– So one can think about what their development programs are like.
Back to M-Sport?
Teemu Suninen left M-Sport in the middle of the 2021 season. PDO
Suninen is looking for a rally contract with his manager. Negotiations with Hyundai continue at good intervals, and at least a place in the Rally2 series would be very possible for Sunin.
– It has been discussed. Compared to other options, Teemu is completely superior. He is also quite a good car developer.
However, driving in the top class attracts so much that Suninen might also knock on M-Sport’s door.
However, there are bigger factors involved, because the team struggling with financial difficulties is once again struggling for its existence and cannot promise much of a year at this stage.
Suninen and M-Sport, which drives Fords, cooperated from 2017 to 2021, until Suninen canceled his contract in the middle of the season. According to the manager, relations with M-Sport are still fine, even though the driver left two years ago, slamming the doors.
There have been rumors that Hyundai will run four cars in certain premier class races next season. Suninen’s manager says that the idea was in the planning phase, but he personally doesn’t think it will come true.
– But Rally2 definitely has opportunities. Of course, Skodas and Toyotas are also included here.