Autosportfoto

Suninen’s ‘leap into the unknown'

Teemu Suninen believes he will have a lot to learn when he makes his asphalt debut in a World Rally Car at this weekend's ADAC Rallye Deutschland (16-19 august).

The M-Sport Ford World Rally Team driver has plenty of experience at the rally having driven in WRC 2 for the last three years. Sixth in 2015 stands as his best result on Germany's stages.

However, the Finn has been handed his asphalt chance with the more powerful Fiesta WRC this weekend and knows he'll need to get up to speed quickly.

"This will be my first time in a World Rally Car on asphalt and a big leap into the unknown," Suninen explained. "So far, I know nothing about driving these cars on this surface and I will have a lot to learn.

"This rally will be full of questions, and it's always been one of the most challenging on the calendar. There is always a lot of dirt that gets dragged onto the stages, but I hope to find good confidence in the car and improve my driving in these tricky conditions."

Suninen sampled the power of the Fiesta WRC on Germany's stages during a pre-event test last week and M-Sport Ford team principal Malcolm Wilson believes the 24-year-old knows how important the Saarland-based event is.

He said: "Teemu has a difficult weekend ahead of him. But it's an important step in his career and I'm sure he's looking forward to the challenge."

M-Sport Ford has confirmed that Suninen's car will run without the new rear aero package that team-mate Sébastien Ogier used for the first time at Neste Rally Finland last month.

Zdroj: wrc.com