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Ari VatanenFamous Finnish racing driver and politician
Date of Birth: 27.04.1952
Country:  Finland |
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Biography of Ari Vatanen
Ari Vatanen, a renowned Finnish racing driver and politician, was born and raised in Tuupovaara, Eastern Finland. He made his professional rally debut in 1970 and quickly rose to prominence in the racing world. Vatanen became a household name after winning the World Rally Championship (WRC) in 1981 and securing four victories in the prestigious Dakar Rally (1987, 1989, 1990, 1991).
Racing Career
Vatanen's racing career started with a bang when he debuted in the WRC at the Rally 1000 Lakes in 1974. In the following years, he won the British Rally Championship in 1976 and 1980. Vatanen became a regular participant in the WRC, driving for the Ford Escort RS1800. In 1980, he achieved his first victory at the Acropolis Rally. Throughout his career, Vatanen collaborated with influential figures like David Richards, who later became the head of Prodrive.
In 1984, Vatanen signed a contract with the factory team Peugeot, piloting the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. However, his career took a significant hit in 1985 when he was involved in a severe accident during the Rally Argentina, requiring 18 months to fully recover. Undeterred, Vatanen returned to the racing scene in 1987 and won the Dakar Rally four times, driving for both Peugeot and Citroën.
Controversies and Achievements
Vatanen's career was not without controversy. In 1988, he led the Dakar Rally until his car was stolen, causing a major scandal. Despite this setback, he continued to achieve success and won the prestigious Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with Peugeot in the same year. Vatanen's autobiography, "Every Second Counts," published in 1988, became an instant bestseller.
Vatanen remained active in the WRC until 1998, piloting Mitsubishi and Subaru vehicles. He secured second-place finishes three times, including a notable performance in the debut race of the Subaru Impreza in the 1993 Rally Finland. In his final season, Vatanen participated in the Rally Great Britain, marking his 100th career race before retiring from motorsport to focus on his political career.
Political Career and Later Life
After leaving racing, Vatanen embraced his passion for politics. From 1999 to 2009, he served as a Member of the European Parliament. Furthermore, Vatanen ran as a candidate for the presidency of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) in 2009.
Vatanen's love for racing never waned. In 2003, he participated in the Dakar Rally, finishing seventh behind the wheel of a Nissan. He made a brief return to the WRC in 2003, driving a Peugeot 206 WRC for the Bozian Racing team. Vatanen participated in the Dakar Rally once again in 2004 and 2005, driving for Nissan. His final appearance in the Dakar Rally was in 2007, representing the Volkswagen factory team.
Ari Vatanen remains a highly respected figure in both the racing and political worlds, leaving a lasting legacy as an accomplished driver and dedicated public servant.
