Interview ahead the Monte-Carlo Rally with Teemu Suninen 16.01.2023: FIA World Rally Championship WRC2 Rallye Monte-Carlo 19-22 January 2023 What are your expectations for your second season with Hyundai Motorsport? Why was this the best fit for you for the 2023 season?

FIA World Rally Championship WRC2
Rallye Monte-Carlo
19-22 January 2023




What are your expectations for your second season with Hyundai Motorsport? Why was this the best fit for you for the 2023 season?



“I feel that we have done a good job developing the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 into a winning car. Last season we began to show it, but unfortunately we couldn’t prove the full potential of which it is capable. There were new rallies and different conditions to the ones we tested in; while this meant we had a lot to learn, the working environment remained positive in our team, which always helps.


In my opinion we have what it takes to win, so it was an easy choice to continue with Hyundai Motorsport, especially now when WRC2 is getting super competitive.”
 




How would you describe your 2022 season, particularly in terms of your development as a driver and your learning curve throughout the year?


“2022 gave us many motivational moments, but these came with some lower ones too. We were battling for the win on five rallies out of seven – a good result when driving a car that was relatively brand-new to us, and we were on a steep learning curve.


Due to small mistakes, I think we unfortunately didn’t use our full potential, but this season we should be able to deliver it and show strong results.”
 





How will you build upon that development and learning in 2023?


“On our off-season we had a small vacation, but we also used this time to analyse last year’s rallies to find out where we could be faster, how we could do it and how to reach our goals.


In the meantime, I have also been coaching some drivers on snow; it’s always good to be in a rally car and doing rally speeds, even if I’m not competing myself. Coaching helps me to be refreshed and ready to go as a rally driver, too.”
 




What do you make of the range of events you will compete in this season? You’re set to tackle snow, gravel and tarmac; how will you prepare for this diverse range of surfaces?


“I have always enjoyed driving on snow and I know I can be strong there. Of course, I feel we are jumping a bit into the unknown in Sweden, as it will be our first time on the snow with the Hyundai i20 N Rally2, but it is important to be there and hopefully it will be all fun too.”
 





What did you find most challenging last season? Do you expect to face the same challenge this year, or will there be others in the year ahead?


“The biggest challenge last year was that he had new conditions with a new car, but different conditions are always the case in rallying which makes it so interesting. But, for sure, this experience and knowledge will help in the coming year.


I do believe that 2023 will be a really close year in the WRC2 championship as there will be many top drivers and some with WRC experience competing for a title – the most competitive season in many years, I would say. My goal is to win, of course, but I admit it will be very challenging.


We must extract the best out of us as a team and from the car. I want to see and feel the full potential and I’m ready to work really hard for that.”
 





What will be key to success with the i20 N Rally2 this season?


“To win the championship title we must know all the conditions really well, and we have to be prepared to get the maximum out of ourselves. I believe that consistent results are the key to winning championships and that is what we will work towards.”





Stefan Ph. Henrich, Nicoletta Russo- photo Hyundai