Teemu Suninen, the private Skoda team driver who very nearly beat the official driver Esapekka Lappi to the WRC2 title in 2016, is to team up with Eric Camilli in a two car M-Sport WRC2 team for 2017.
Suninen(pictured right) is to contest “at least five events” in the WCR2 in addition to other events, in a championship in which competitors can make seven starts and count points from six results.
Suninen has spent the last two seasons competing for the French Oreca team in the WRC2, in a programme originally funded by Toyota as part of their WRC driver training scheme.
His Oreca programme started with Suninen competing with a Fiesta R5 in 2015 as teammate with Camilli, before Oreca moved on to Skodas in 2016.
Suninen’s earlier career began in Fiesta ST and Fiesta R2 cars in his native Finland. His first rally with M-Sport will be the Swedish, by when he will be 23 years old.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and very happy to join the M-Sport team. They’ve offered me an excellent programme for the year ahead and there are some very exciting times to come,” Suninen said.
“M-Sport provides one of the best environments for young drivers to learn and gain experience on their way to the top level. I’m really looking forward to working with this passionate team and to seeing for myself how the four-time World Champion, Sébastien Ogier, works.
“My goal for this season is to improve on last year when I finished second in the WRC 2 championship. I know that it will be a big challenge, but with more experience under my belt I feel ready and in a good position.
“M-Sport has a great history in rallying and many Finnish drivers have succeeded in Malcolm's team. I hope, and believe, that I have a good chance of forming a part of this successful story.”
- Martin Holmes
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