Juha Kankkunen to Lead Toyota’s Hydrogen Rally Car at Rally Finland

According to Toyota’s official information, four-time WRC world champion and Toyota deputy team principal — Juha Kankkunen will drive the latest hydrogen-powered rally car at Rally Finland taking place July 31 to August 3.

The GR Yaris Rally2 H2 Concept — developed at Toyota WRC team headquarters in Jyvaskyla, Finland — will make its debut on the Harju stage. The car utilizes a compressed hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine.

Toyota previously demonstrated this technology at Ypres Rally Belgium about three years ago. Since then, the concept has undergone further development to reach its current iteration.

Jari-Matti Latvala, Toyota’s WRC team principal, will also participate in Rally Finland with a standard GR Yaris Rally2. The 18-time WRC rally winner finished second in WRC2 class and sixth overall last year.

“I’m really excited to make my 20th Rally Finland start, driving the GR Yaris Rally2 together with Janni Hussi. It’s Finnish rally tradition to mark a big birthday by entering our home event, so thank you Akio Toyoda for allowing me to realize this special achievement in the year I turned 40,” said Latvala.