LeoKinnunen

The Pioneer Spirit: Leo Kinnunen's Enduring Drive

Leo Juhani "Leksa" Kinnunen, born August 5, 1943, and passing on July 26, 2017, holds a unique place in motorsport history as Finland's first Formula One driver. His career, marked by versatility and raw speed, spanned motorcycles, rallying, and sportscar racing before a challenging, albeit brief, foray into Formula One. Kinnunen’s journey is a testament to a racer’s determination, often against significant odds.

Early Foundations and Diverse Talents

Kinnunen's racing career began on two wheels, competing on motorcycles before transitioning to four-wheeled competition in the early 1960s upon receiving his driver's license. This early diversification immediately bore fruit, as he quickly demonstrated prowess across multiple disciplines. He achieved considerable success in rallying, autocross, and ice racing, showcasing a natural aptitude for vehicle control in varied conditions. A notable early achievement was finishing as runner-up in the Finnish Rally Championship, matching the points total of the eventual winner, Simo Lampinen. His circuit racing ambitions also emerged during this period. In 1967, Kinnunen competed in the Finnish F3 Championship with an outdated Brabham. The following year, driving a Titan, he secured several victories, including a significant win at the Ahvenisto Race Circuit where he notably outpaced future Formula One star Ronnie Peterson. These early successes underscored Kinnunen’s inherent talent and his ability to extract performance from his machinery, even when not at the cutting edge.

The Ascent to International Sportscars and Peak Performance

The year 1969 marked a pivotal shift for Kinnunen as he fully committed to circuit racing. This decision quickly paid dividends with a victory in the Nordic Challenge Cup, a precursor to the highly popular Interserie. His performance, which included two wins and a second-place finish at Keimola Motor Stadium after a fierce battle with Jochen Rindt, caught the attention of the motorsport elite. His talent was further recognized when he was invited to test a Porsche 917 at the Österreichring. His impressive showing led to a contract to partner Pedro Rodriguez in the prestigious World Sportscar Championship for the 1970 season. The pairing made an immediate impact, securing a victory in their debut race, the challenging 24 Hours of Daytona. This success contributed significantly to Porsche clinching the World Sportscar Championship for manufacturers that year. However, this period was not without its frustrations for Kinnunen. The Porsche 917 was initially configured to Rodriguez's measurements and driving style. While Kinnunen demonstrated his technical acumen by quickly finding setups that allowed him to outpace his teammate, he was subsequently restricted from further modifying the car to suit his own preferences. Despite these constraints, his opportunity to truly shine arrived at the Targa Florio. With Rodriguez sidelined by illness, Kinnunen took the wheel of the new Porsche 908/03. On the final lap of the race, he delivered a performance that etched his name into the record books, setting a lap time of 33 minutes and 36 seconds. This astonishing effort shattered the previous lap record by a minute and a half and remains the fastest time ever recorded on the demanding Sicilian road circuit, a testament to his exceptional skill and bravery. Following his success with Porsche, Kinnunen transitioned to the Interserie, driving a Porsche 917 for the Finnish AAW Racing Team. He immediately dominated the series, winning the championship in his debut year, 1971. This victory came despite a deeply personal moment of withdrawal from the Norisring race after witnessing his former teammate, Pedro Rodriguez, suffer a fatal crash. Kinnunen’s resilience and speed were undeniable, as he went on to secure three consecutive Interserie championships from 1971 to 1973, accumulating a total of 18 heat wins and 11 outright victories. His versatility was once again highlighted in 1973 when he participated in the 23rd 1000 Lakes Rally, a World Rally Championship event, finishing an impressive third overall in his Porsche Carrera, behind rally legends Timo Mäkinen and Markku Alén.

The Formula One Challenge

Kinnunen’s ambition to reach Formula One was long-standing. He was close to securing a seat for the 1971 season with Team Lotus, then a dominant force in the sport, with the assistance of Jochen Rindt. However, Rindt's tragic death at Monza brought these negotiations to an abrupt halt. Kinnunen later recounted that Bernie Ecclestone offered him a drive without remuneration, an offer he declined, asserting his status as a professional racer who expected payment for his services. His Formula One debut eventually came in 1974. Seeking an opportunity, Kinnunen accepted an offer from John Surtees to lease one of his new Surtees TS16 chassis. The decision was influenced by the previous season's performance of the Surtees TS14. With sponsorship secured, Kinnunen entered the series under the banner of AAW Racing Team, a name already recognized and respected in racing circles, powered by a Cosworth DFV V8 engine. The team's inaugural Grand Prix at Nivelles proved to be a formidable challenge. The TS16 arrived just in time for the race weekend, leaving Kinnunen no opportunity to even sit in the car prior to track sessions. Compounding this, the car was revealed to be a factory testbed, arriving with a damaged monocoque and rear suspension, significantly overweight by 80 kilograms, and equipped with an underpowered engine. Furthermore, the team was denied access to the top-tier tires utilized by leading competitors. During his initial laps, the gearbox failed after just three circuits. With a minimal team of only three mechanics and no spare parts, repair efforts were unsuccessful, leading to another gearbox failure in qualifying. This left Kinnunen without a recorded time, making him the sole driver unable to qualify for the race. Following Nivelles, the team focused on rectifying the car's issues, bypassing the Monaco Grand Prix to prepare for Sweden. At the Swedish Grand Prix, Kinnunen qualified 25th. Although typically only 24 drivers were permitted to start, his respected standing within Swedish motorsport circles led to an exception, allowing him to take the grid. Recognizing the car's inherent limitations, the AAW team strategically fueled the TS16 for only ten laps, aiming for a rapid initial press run to offset its excessive weight. This tactic allowed Kinnunen to demonstrate his skill, overtaking five cars within eight laps before a spark plug issue forced his retirement. Kinnunen later attributed this to a stripped spark plug thread in the cylinder head, which a mechanic had inadvertently damaged during installation despite a temporary fix from a Ferrari mechanic. The remainder of the 1974 season offered little respite. The team was barred from participating in the Dutch Grand Prix and subsequently failed to qualify for races in France, Great Britain, Italy, and Austria. Ultimately, a lack of funding brought AAW Racing Team's brief Formula One campaign to an end. Kinnunen holds the distinction of being the last driver to compete in Formula One wearing an open-face helmet, a poignant detail from an era of evolving safety standards.

Post-Formula One Career and Legacy

After his short but eventful Formula One tenure, Kinnunen returned to the Interserie, participating in its final event at Hockenheim. He demonstrated his enduring speed by winning both heats, securing sixth place overall in the championship based solely on the points from that single outing. In 1975, Martini Racing enlisted Kinnunen to drive a Porsche 908 Turbo in the World Sportscar Championship. Partnering with Herbert Müller, his best result was a third-place finish at the Nürburgring. The following year, he joined Egon Evertz, racing a Porsche 934 Turbo, achieving three podium finishes, including a notable second place at Watkins Glen. Financial difficulties led to the team's withdrawal from racing after that season. Kinnunen concluded his circuit racing career in 1977 but continued to compete in rally events in Finland, notably winning the 1979 Arctic Rally. He remained involved in motorsport through administrative roles and resided in Turku. A fascinating anecdote from his career involves a personal request from actor and racing enthusiast Steve McQueen, who asked Kinnunen to drive in his film "Le Mans." However, Kinnunen's contract with Porsche at the time prevented his participation. David Piper ultimately took his place, suffering severe injuries during the filming. Leo Kinnunen's career was characterized by remarkable versatility, exceptional speed, and a pioneering spirit. From his early days on motorcycles to his dominance in sportscars and his challenging but significant role as Finland's first Formula One driver, Kinnunen carved out a respected place in motorsport history. His record-breaking lap at Targa Florio and multiple Interserie championships stand as enduring testaments to his profound talent and unwavering commitment to racing.