The manager of Teemu Suninen, Timo Jouhki, reveals that his driver has already extended his contract with Hyundai by one year and six months, but it is possible for him to participate in seven events next year.
Suninen left M-Sport Ford with immediate effect at the end of Ypres Rally Belgium in 2021 and he secured a drive with the i20N Rally2 and i20 Coupe WRC for Rally Spain and Rally Monza respectively later that year. In 2022, Hyundai Motorsport offered him a full-time programme in WRC2 class, but he managed to take only one victory in WRC2 Open category, while the main target of the Korean team was to develop its car and to close the gap with the other teams which means that Suninen had a very serious job to do. The Finn continued his WRC2 campaign with them this season, but Hyundai confirmed that he would participate at the top level after Craig Breen's death. His Rally1 debut was made at Rally Estonia two weeks ago where he finished in fifth place overall while his next outing will be Rally Finland. Last but not least, it must be mentioned that it is rumored that he will join Thierry Neuville and Esapekka Lappi at Rally Chile next month and will extend his contract with the Koreans as he is part of the Hyundai Motorsport development Drivers Programme which was announced last June.
"The contract that has been made for him is one and a half years long", Jouhki said.
"The contract clearly states that well in advance of the next season, next year's World Cup competitions must be agreed upon.
"There are probably about seven of them.
"It may be that Suninen will have almost the whole next season, but it's a bit pointless to predict that, because not all of Hyundai's drivers for next season are known yet.
"As far as I understand, Thierry Neuville has a contract with Hyundai for next season, but Esapekka Lappi doesn't have a contract with Hyundai for next season - but he will definitely do it, I don't doubt it.
"In any case, Teemu is in a good position, quite clearly.
"The contract exists, the only question is which competitions will be included in it".
Source: is.fi
Photo Credits: Hyundai
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