Safari Rally – Juha Kankkunen: “I’m sometimes more stressed than when I was a driver”

Within the team Toyota, he is noticeable from afar. With his great height, Juha Kankkunen has always imposed himself and the 4 world champion titles obtained in 1986, 87, 91 and 93 make him one of the legends of WRC. This explains why everyone's eyes turn to him when he appears in a media-only area. His broad smile doesn't lie. He enjoys being there. I always loved coming to Africa, he confirms after the shakedown. This is where I won my first WRC race in 1985, but I've also spent time here outside of racing. There's a special atmosphere and it's a special event. From what our crews have told me, it seems like this year's race will be very difficult. I think the key will be to be able to drive with your head...and the problem is that we drivers sometimes forget to do that. (laugh). You also need a bit of luck to win here, because everything is so unpredictable. We have shown in previous appearances in Africa that our cars are very strong on this terrain. I am sure that will be the case again this year. »

As he moves around the interview area, almost all of his younger colleagues come to shake his hand. Each time, a few words are exchanged, and the Finn seems in his element. When Jari-Matti Latvala asked to step back and not travel to every round, the Laukaa native immediately offered to officiate at Safari. While it makes sense to see him so comfortable with today's actors, how does he feel in his director's suit? It's another role... anyway, I've already driven enough, he laughs. I think I'm sometimes more stressed than when I was behind the wheel...where I was just smiling. The parameter of the new tires doesn't particularly worry us, because we all have the same ones. I don't expect there to be many punctures and then if it rains, it doesn't matter what brand of rubber you have on the car...there's no grip anyway! »

In his new responsibilities, the former resident of Peugeot and Lancia shouldn't have too much management work since team orders are not practiced within Toyota. We don't do that in fact. ", confirms the one who will most likely have an advisory and support role for his 4 pilots. What I like about Juha, explains Kalle Rovanperä, It's just that he's always very relaxed. There's never any stress with him, and I function exactly like that. » The stakes this weekend in Naivasha are high. If Toyota manages to bring home a 3^e A successful run in 2025 after Monte-Carlo and Sweden, the operation would undoubtedly be very profitable for the championship. With four consecutive triumphs at Safari, the Japanese brand appears to be the favorite. Yes, it is true that we have a responsibility to continue this series., acknowledges "KKK" almost seriously before launching into a great burst of laughter: but I can always call my boss (Jari-Matti Latvala, Editor's note) to find out how they did it! »

After the ceremonial start on Thursday afternoon and the first two special stages, Juha Kankkunen will be able to follow the remaining 19 SS stages and the 372 km timed stages to be contested until Sunday.