Janni Hussi will debut in the World Rally Championship in just three weeks.
Multimedia personality Janni Hussi doesn’t like the cold.
– Can the table be changed? Here you could sit closer to this heater, the 32-year-old rally professional asks.
Yes, it is true.
On a Thursday in October, the media has been invited to the cold outdoors at Vantaa’s Vauhtikeskus to listen to the super news: Hussi will participate in the 2024 World Rally Championship with full power, together with the sport’s super promise Lauri Joonan with.
Below they have the Škoda Fabia Rally2 with all the goodies. It is intended to fight for the World Championship points in the WRC2 class.
– A sporting goal can be said to reach the top three. If it goes really well, even the championship, Joona is planning.
– Expectations are high. We have worked hard to get to this point. It’s been a dream since he was a little boy, and now it’s coming true, he continues.
The 26-year-old from Keikyä naturally aims for the top of the sport. It also puts pressure on Huss, who works as second driver.
It’s no longer about social media. In the WRC2 class, you drive from serious places as a team mate of the Rovanperis and Tänakis.
– Lauri is a top driver who has the potential to go far in this sport. I want to be worth it, says Hussi.
– I am grateful that Late has dared to take me on board and give me a chance. I’m an ambitious person and I’m ready to put myself to the test. I’ve never been afraid of work.
Development continues
Officially, Huss’ karting career is only a little over ten rallies long. It started exceptionally when Sami Pajari called the radio program directly and challenged the host to be co-driver.
Not even a year and a half has passed since that moment.
Although the karttur’s development has been tremendous, Hussi readily admits that the work still continues.
– Of course, every area can still be improved. I certainly have the most to learn from special situations: a flat tire or going through a corner. You only learn them by encountering them. There are many things you cannot prepare for.
– I need more experience, and that’s what I’m getting here.
The story continues after the picture
Autokunna’s goal is to reach the top three in the World Championship. Jaakko Finne / Domakers Finland
Of course, the rally fly had bitten the Kouvola resident for the first time already.
– I passed in 2018 by Hayden Patton for a ride through a partner. I thought I was going to die in that place. This car won’t turn a corner at all, Hussi laughs now.
– It was easier when I learned that note. Then you know what’s going on.
“A pedantic person”
Last weekend’s World Rally Championship in Chile saw an embarrassing episode, when he made his own Rally1 debut Louis Louka forgot the sheet music in the service area. He had to advise the driver Grégoire Munster based on the pictures sent to the cell phone during the whole morning run.
Hussi knows about the case and feels sympathy for his Belgian colleague.
– I am a really pedantic person. I check the coffee maker 15 times in the morning and slam the door. I am really precise and careful, he lists his strengths.
– But of course mistakes can happen. I hope it never happens to me
When talking about the rally, a smile spreads across Huss’s face. It is clear that he enjoys the speed, the competition, the vibration of the WRC and the excitement it brings.
– I remember the first time when a rally car started whirring next to me. That power doesn’t care about any TV.
But the rally has its own dark side. It is a dangerous sport that has claimed several lives this year as well.
– You shouldn’t be naive. You have to be aware of the risks of the sport. Life is short, and you should spend it on the things you enjoy.
In April, Hussi announced that he would quit as the host of Radio Suomipop’s morning show Aamulypsy. Jenni Gästgivar
Terminology mastered
Hussi is a charming person. It is clear that in addition to his undeniable karttur gifts, he is also useful in acquiring partners and media presence.
In addition, Hussi sounds like he is already marinated in sports terminology.
– Now let’s put our hands in the clay and go all the way to the end.
The story continues after the social media update
It is still unclear at this stage which rallies the car company will participate in. The rally calendar for 2024 has not been finalized yet, but there will probably be approximately the same number of races as this season (13).
WRC2 drivers are allowed to participate in a maximum of seven of them. The six best results are included in the total points.
The job is so big that Huss has to give up something else.
– It’s not difficult. I’ve been clarifying my own business since last spring. Yes, I still continue to do things in the media industry, but yes, my main job is now this.
Joona follows the conversation from the side. He is a rare rally driver in that interview requests are primarily aimed at kart drivers.
– I don’t see a contradiction in that. Of course, I have my own followers who are very involved, he says.
– We are a team. No rally car reaches the finish line with only the power of the map reader. Yes, that driver is doing a more important job, Hussi hums.
The duo will start their WRC2 collaboration in the Central European rally in three weeks. Finns hope that, of course Kalle Rovanperä securing his second consecutive world title there.
And probably additional attention will also be paid to Huss, who is making his World Series debut.
– It will be the most difficult competition of the season. Good start to this job. We don’t have performance targets. We will learn for next season, Lauri concludes.