Janni Hussi has competed alongside several elite drivers in recent seasons, but her latest partnership may be one of the most exciting yet. At Rally Sweden, she made her debut alongside Teemu Suninen as he returned to the World Rally Championship after an 18-month break — and the result immediately turned heads.
Despite limited preparation and barely any testing mileage together, the Finnish duo delivered a superb performance in the highly competitive WRC2 category. Driving Toyota’s Rally2 machinery on Sweden’s fast, icy roads, Suninen and Hussi secured second place overall. Only fellow Finn Roope Korhonen and co-driver Anssi Viinikka finished ahead.
“It was insanely good fun,” Hussi said enthusiastically. “I honestly can’t think of what could have made it better — maybe one position higher — but we are extremely satisfied.”
Speed, Confidence and a Clear Statement
Suninen’s comeback was about more than just a podium finish. After time away from the WRC spotlight, the 30-year-old needed to prove that his raw speed and competitive edge were still intact. According to Hussi, Sweden provided a clear answer.
“Teemu has a new team, a new co-driver, a new car, new tyres, and even the stages were new to us. Considering all of that, it was an unbelievably strong performance,” she explained. “Especially after such a long break, it shows the pace is absolutely there.”
Suninen already owns podium finishes in the WRC’s top class, and his long-term target is a full-time return by 2027. Performances like this strengthen his case.
Busy Schedule Ahead
While Suninen has yet to confirm his next WRC outing, Hussi’s calendar is filling quickly. She will next team up with Jari-Matti Latvala for Rally Costa Brava in Spain, the opening round of the European Historic Rally Championship, held around Girona in early March.
With momentum building and confidence growing, Hussi and Suninen’s partnership is already shaping up as one of the most intriguing storylines of the WRC2 season.