Jari Huttunen’s future is shrouded in darkness.
Jari Huttunen admits that there is no money. Vesa Pöppönen / AOP
Jari Huttunen the future in the World Rally Championship seems difficult.
After driving for a couple of years in the German Opel Cup, Huttunen got into Hyundai’s WRC2-class car in the 2018 season. Kiuruvetinen was able to grab prize positions right away in his debut season, even though Hyundai’s R5 car did not match, for example, Skoda’s level of performance.
In 2020, Huttunen won both the World Series WRC3 class championship and the Polish rally championship. However, Hyundai was unable to achieve a display place in the first class when Huttunen moved to M-Sport Ford in the fall of 2021.
The past season behind the wheel of Ford’s Rally2 car has been difficult. Huttunen reached the podium in his class in Sweden and Sardinia, but the victories have been exhausted.
In the fleet, a Finnish driver gives the handicap without helping. Regarding next year Marcus Grönholm the shield has everything open.
– That’s a good question. There are no plans or information regarding next year, Huttunen tells Iltalehte.
– In my opinion, the results should speak for themselves, but now the problem is that those results don’t really exist. In that sense, it’s a bit of a stalemate.
There is no money
Huttunen’s season has been difficult. PDO
Huttunen was able to arrange a Rally1 classification car for the Finnish World Rally Championship with manager Grönholm, but that display slot was also wasted due to continuous technical problems.
Was switching to M-Sport a mistake?
– Ever since we’ve been driving the Rally2 car, we’ve also been thinking about what would be the most sensible way to build a career for just as long. Afterwards, of course, it’s good to jostle. I don’t know what that style would be, Huttunen spins.
Skoda’s new Rally2 car will make its debut at rally sprints next week in Germany. The Czech brand has already dominated its class in the World Series and other series.
However, Huttunen has been able to drive with M-Sport at relatively lower costs.
– The situation is difficult precisely because there is simply no money, Huttunen admits.