Earlier this week it was revealed that Emil Lindholm would once again drive a Rally2 Hyundai in WRC2.
Sticking With Hyundai
2022 WRC2 champion Emil Lindholm will once again drive a Hyundai i20 Rally2 this season. Lindholm was rumored to be moving on from Hyundai. To join M-Sport for a Rally1 drive. However, that didn’t happen so Lindholm stayed with the Korean manufacturer. Teemu Suninen is expected to join Lindholm as the other WRC2 driver this season. However, Suninen has also been involved in rumors about leaving Hyundai.
Lindholm’s 2023 Season
Emil Lindholm had a down year last season. Failing to win an event after winning the championship the year before. Lindholm’s highest finish in 2023 was second overall at Rally Sweden. That was when he was with Skoda. Lindholm began the season in a Toksport backed Skoda Fabia Rally2. He would join Hyundai before Rally Estonia. The 27-year-old driver showed decent pace in the i20 Rally2. Challenging for the win at his home event in Finland. Which came after he challenged for the win at his first event in the car, Rally Estonia. Lindholm ultimately finished third in Estonia and 13th in Finland. With a suspension issue forcing Lindholm out of Rally Finland temporarily.
What To Expect
Emil Lindholm will make his season debut at the same event as last season, Rally Sweden. Lindholm will likely challenge for the event win. However, he may take some time to get back up to pace as it’ll be his first event in the car since the Central European Rally. Lindholm will have to shake off any rust quickly, as drivers such as Oliver Solberg, Sami Pajari, Mikko Heikklä among others will be looking for the event win as well. As far as Lindholm’s schedule goes, it’s unknown at this point. It’s almost certain that he’ll contest his home event of Rally Finland. Other than that everything is unknown. Nevertheless, Lindholm will be chasing not only the WRC2 championship, but also a Rally1 drive for next season.