Heikki Kovalainen, a former F1 driver who raced from 2007 to 2013, is set to compete in several rounds of the 2025 Sparco Rally Italian Absolute Championship (CIAR), starting with the Rally Il Ciocco e Valle del Serchio. Born in 1981, Kovalainen has been a key figure in the Japanese championship for many years, securing multiple victories driving Skoda and Toyota vehicles. In 2025, while continuing his participation in the overseas series, he will also embark on a new challenge in Italy, participating in selected stages of the CIAR Sparco and earning points in the Italian Rally Promozione Championship standings.
This upcoming season marks a preparatory year for Kovalainen, as he adapts to the Italian rally stages in anticipation of a more intensive commitment in 2026. For his Italian campaign, he will pilot a Citroen C3, expertly prepared by Gino Rally Invest and equipped with Pirelli tires. Patric Ohman will join him as his navigator. With support from Citroen Racing, Kovalainen’s journey will begin on March 21 at the Rally Il Ciocco e Valle del Serchio, the inaugural event of the Sparco Italian Rally Championship. His participation, along with new and established Italian champions, is expected to enhance the spectacle of the 2025 season.
Reflecting on his affinity for Italy and motorsports, Kovalainen shared, “I have always loved Italy since my F1 days. At the end of last year, I had the chance to partake in a few rallies that I thoroughly enjoyed. This year, I wanted to deepen my experience in asphalt rallying by competing in the Sparco Italian Absolute Rally Championship with the Gino Rally Invest team. I recognize the high level of competition and know I have much to learn, but I eagerly anticipate this challenge and the opportunity to connect with the many fans of Italian motorsport.”