Hänninen confident for Curitiba success

Juho Hänninen hopes the similarity between the stages in Curitiba and his native Finland will give him an advantage when the Intercontinental Rally Challenge resumes in Brazil this week.

Škoda driver Hänninen has never competed on the high-speed gravel event before but watched video footage of the stages prior to flying to Curitiba, where he is currently carrying out reconnaissance of the route alongside co-driver Mikko Markkula.

"The blind crests and surface, which seems quite smooth, reminds me of Finland,” said Hänninen, who is currently second in the IRC drivers’ standings. “Maybe it will help me get a good result this weekend.”