Heikki Kovalainen, the former F1 star and multiple-time Japanese rally champion, is continuing his rally career in Italy at the age of 44. This ambitious endeavor involves participating in a highly competitive Italian asphalt rally series composed of seven events, where he will be navigating with co-driver Patric Öhman. His return to the motorsport scene is marked by his strategic plans for the season, including the cars he will use throughout the competition.

One of the notable highlights of Kovalainen's plans involves his transition from a Citroën to a Lancia during the season, aiming for the latter due to its revival in rallying this year. The legendary Italian brand recently made a comeback and even secured a class victory at the World Rally Championship season opener in Monte Carlo with the Lancia Ypsilon Rally2 HF Integrale, hinting at the competitive edge Kovalainen hopes to gain as he aspires to perform well in Italy.

Kovalainen's support system is reinforced through his collaboration with Gino Motosport, a team backed by notable Japanese sponsorship, showcasing the international nature of his rallying efforts. This relationship with sponsors like Aicello, prominent in Japan, emphasizes his global reach in the realm of motorsport while aligning with key partners in the tire segment. As Kovalainen embarks on this challenging journey in Italian rallying, expectations run high for both him and the team's performance this season, reflecting not only personal goals but also a larger narrative of international motorsport collaboration.