Enni Mälkönen's world was torn apart just as she conquered it. But now she's reaping the rewards
Photography by Hyundai & Ralli SM
Words by David Evans, DirtFish Head of Media
How do you stand on top of the world when you’re world is being turned upside down? Enni Mälkönen knows that feeling very well.
When she and Sami Pajari secured the 2024 WRC2 title in Japan, the Finns were flying high. They were world champions and a partnership seemingly set for the next step into Rally1.
Then they weren’t. Mälkönen was to be replaced for the 2025 season.
Watching that scenario play out just ahead of the final control in Toyota City was tough. There were no words for, or from, Mälkönen. She didn’t offer any and none were sought, simply because the right words weren’t there. They didn’t exist.
Instead, she went home and planned a different path. Since the top of last season, she’s won seven from nine Finnish Rally Championship rounds, landed a Finnish title and returned herself to the role of a factory co-driver in Rally1.
Mälkönen has achieved great success since teaming up with Esapekka Lappi last year
Enni Mälkönen has cemented herself as one of the world’s finest co-drivers; the Hyundai opportunity reward for all of her dedication and professionalism.
Out of the car, she remains her reserved self. She’s never been one to shout the loudest, but that national character of sisu, that inner steel, shines through and does her talking for her.
As does her need for speed. It was impossible not to consider the irony of Japan 2024 with Sweden 2026. The beaming smile every time she and Esapekka Lappi crossed the finish line was as humbling as it was awesome to see. Yes, the WRC at this level is big business – it’s about selling manufacturer metal on the street – but it’s also a human story. Arriving at that elite level of competition, the absolute pinnacle of your career, demands absolute commitment, focus and professionalism.
Mälkönen's next challenge is her first Safari Rally Kenya
But it doesn’t mean you can’t express yourself. It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your work and let the world know you’re enjoying your work. Those pictures from the end of every stage in Sweden spoke a thousand words. As did her latest home win in Riihimäki last weekend, and undoubtedly next week’s adventure in Kenya.
The pace of the #4 Hyundai i20 N Rally1 in Umeå last month was one of the talking points of round two. Nairobi next week will bring a different challenge as the Finnish pair join team-mates Thierry Neuville/Martijn Wydaeghe and Adrien Fourmaux/Alexandre Coria in their efforts to stop the Toyota steamroller and deliver a maiden African win for the Korean brand.
Possible? Absolutely. When it comes to the Safari, anything can happen.
Words:David Evans
Tags: Enni Mälkönen, WRC, WRC 2026
Publish Date March 8, 2026 DirtFish 
https://dirtfish-editorial.s3-accelerate.amazonaws.com/2026/03/KDISf8jK-2026sweden_rt_082-780x520.jpg March 8, 2026
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