Finnish driver strengthens Portuguese team for the 2026 European Rally Championship season

The Racing Factory will have Teemu Suninen in its line-up for the 2026 European Rally Championship (ERC) season, in what represents another step forward for the Portuguese team on the international stage. The Finnish driver, who has built up extensive experience in the World Rally Championship and established a solid career among the sport’s elite, is joining the project led by Aloísio Monteiro for a new European campaign.

Suninen’s arrival at the Portuguese outfit is yet another sign of The Racing Factory’s ambition to strengthen its position in the international arena. After several seasons of sustained growth and regular involvement in highly competitive programmes, the team is now taking a further step by bringing in a driver with proven credentials in both WRC2 and the top tier of the World Rally Championship.

Throughout his career, Teemu Suninen has built an impressive path in international rallying. The Finn first stood out in the junior categories before establishing himself as one of the most competitive names of his generation. With spells at leading works and semi-works teams, he gained experience behind the wheel of several top-level cars, competing on some of the most demanding stages in the sport. His career, marked by speed, consistency, and adaptability, makes him a major signing for The Racing Factory’s 2026 ERC campaign.

The partnership between both parties therefore represents the combination of the international experience of a driver accustomed to the highest levels of competition and the ambition of a team that continues to expand its footprint in European motorsport.

For Teemu Suninen, joining this project represents an exciting challenge at an important stage of his career.

“I am very pleased to join The Racing Factory for the 2026 ERC season. In this team, I found a structure that is highly motivated, ambitious, forward-looking, and genuinely eager to grow on the international stage. The ERC is an extremely competitive championship and demands a great deal from both drivers and teams, so I believe it will be a very interesting challenge. I am motivated to begin this work and to contribute my experience so that we can achieve strong results.”

Aloísio Monteiro, CEO of The Racing Factory, also highlighted the significance of the agreement for the Portuguese team.

“The arrival of Teemu Suninen is an important milestone for The Racing Factory. He is a driver with internationally recognised credentials, experience at the highest level, and the ability to add both sporting and technical value to our project. This partnership for 2026 reflects the ambition we have been demonstrating and our clear desire to continue growing on the European stage. We are very pleased to have Teemu with us for this new chapter.”

Signing Suninen is part of The Racing Factory’s strategy to consolidate its presence in international championships, maintaining a trajectory built on competitiveness, technical development, and strengthening the team’s brand beyond national borders. In this sense, the 2026 ERC season will be another important chapter in the growth of the Portuguese outfit.

With this announcement, The Racing Factory confirms not only Teemu Suninen’s place in its 2026 sporting project, but also reinforces its intention to tackle the European Rally Championship with renewed ambition and clear objectives in one of the most demanding championships in the world.