Heikki Kovalainen is participating in the World Cup rally in Japan.
As usual, Heikki Kovalainen is participating in the World Rally Championship in Japan. VESA PÖPPÖNEN / AOP
Heikki Kovalainen makes his return to the World Rally Championship, when the Japan round in November brings the former F1 driver back to the top of the world.
The official Start List published on Tuesday confirmed that the 43-year-old Finn will be seen at the wheel of Toyota’s Rally2 car.
Alongside Kovalainen, a familiar Japanese works as a map reader Sae Kitagawawith whom the Finn has already driven for several seasons in the Japanese rally series.
The rally run on asphalt roads in Japan is Kovalainen’s third consecutive World Cup start in Japan. He has participated in the same competition in 2022, 2023 and 2024, although in the two previous years the journey has ended in suspension.
In recent years, Kovalainen, who is from Suomussalmi, has focused on the Japanese rally series, where he has achieved convincing success. The ex-Formula 1 driver has won the series championship consecutively in 2022 and 2023 in Toyota’s colors.
Kovalainen drove in formulas between 2007 and 2013.
The World Rally Championship in Japan starts on Thursday, November 6 and culminates on Sunday, November 9.