Enni Mälkönen
Rally racing // Finnish
I have dedicated over ten years of my life to rallying and I hope and believe that my journey towards the top continues
Enni Mälkönen is a groundbreaking Finnish rally co-driver who made history as the first woman to win a championship title in any WRC class, inspiring a new generation of female racers in motorsports.
EARLY YEARS
Born on September 25, 1990, in Finland, Enni grew up with rallying in her blood as her father was also involved in the sport. Before finding her calling as a rally co-driver, she competed in show jumping until her horse’s injury prompted her to transition to rallying in 2012 through a coaching program organized by AKK-Motorsport.
EARLY SUCCESS
Mälkönen’s career gained momentum when she teamed up with driver Sami Pajari in the World Rally Championship. Their partnership quickly proved fruitful as they captured the Junior WRC title in 2021, setting the stage for even greater achievements to come. This early triumph showcased her exceptional navigation skills and laid the foundation for her historic accomplishments in the years that followed.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2021: Won Junior WRC title with Sami Pajari.
- 2022: Became the first woman to win the WRC3 co-drivers’ championship.
- 2022-2024: Achieved 9 wins and 14 podiums with Sami Pajari.
- 2024: Secured the WRC2 Co-Driver championship title after finishing second at Rally Japan.
- 2024: Finished fourth with Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT in their debut at Secto Rally Finland.
REPUTATION
Enni has established herself as a pioneering force in rallying, not just for her technical prowess as a co-driver but for breaking gender barriers in the sport. Her historic achievements as the first woman to win championships in both WRC3 and WRC2 categories have cemented her status as a trailblazer. Beyond her competition success, she’s become an influential role model who demonstrates that women can reach the highest echelons of motorsport, inspiring young female racers to pursue their racing dreams.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
With her partner Sami Pajari moving to the top tier of WRC with Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, Enni’s immediate racing plans remain undisclosed. However, her long-term mission continues to focus on breaking what she calls the “glass ceiling” for women in motorsport. She remains committed to reaching the highest ranks of world rallying and creating pathways for future generations of female competitors.
References:
WRC Driver Profile: Enni Mälkönen
Wikipedia: Enni Mälkönen
Racers Behind The Helmet: Enni Mälkönen Secures WRC2 Co-driver Championship
DirtFish: The Glass Ceiling Enni Mälkönen Is Determined to Break
(bio created: )
Upcoming races, appearances, launches, etc.