Reeta Hämäläinen

Reeta Hämäläinen is the 2022 WRC2 Co-Drivers’ World Champion and the first woman to win a WRC2 title—a barrier-breaking achievement made all the more remarkable by her journey from a frightened kid in a rally car to a cancer survivor who refused to let anything stop her ascent to the top of rallying.

EARLY YEARS

Born around 1988-1989 in Finland, Hämäläinen’s first experience in a rally car was, by her own admission, terrifying. But rally was in her blood—she started her career within her family, co-driving with her father in historic and regional rallies. What began as a family activity at events like the Historic Vltava Rallye soon expanded to historic events abroad and local competitions. At first, it was mainly for fun. But as her experience grew, so did her ambitions, and she realized she wanted to push further and aim for international stages with modern cars.

The path from passenger seat to podium wasn’t linear. Hämäläinen actually tried her hand at driving—and quickly discovered it wasn’t her calling. “Anyway I tried a few rallies but to be honest I was totally s***,” she admitted with characteristic Finnish bluntness. “Every time they had to tow me out of the snowbanks, so then I decided ‘OK, I’m better as a co-driver!’” It was a moment of self-awareness that would shape her entire career: knowing where you belong is half the battle.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Hämäläinen’s interests outside of rallying remains private. Like many co-drivers who spend their lives reading pace notes at breakneck speed, she seems to keep her focus squarely on the sport.

EARLY SUCCESS

After switching to the co-driver’s seat, Hämäläinen set about learning her craft properly. She joined the Finnish federation training program—a decision she credits with helping her enormously—and began building the connections and experience that would eventually carry her to the world championship. She competed in the Opel Adam Cup in Germany with Laura Suvanto, then moved up to R5 cars internationally with drivers like Mikko Lehessaari and Miika Hokkanen. Along the way, she found success with Janne Tuohino before beginning what would become her championship-winning partnership with Emil Lindholm in 2021.

But success didn’t come without setbacks. In 2015, while competing in Germany as part of the Opel Adam Cup series, Hämäläinen suffered her first serious crash—one where she was properly hurt. She missed Rally Germany, her first scheduled WRC event, and faced the very real question of whether fear would keep her from continuing. “I was a little bit worried if I was scared or something like that after the crash,” she recalled, “but I managed to do some rallies still in 2015 and to be honest I realized in the first rally that no, I’m not scared, and this is still the thing that I want to do.” The crash didn’t break her. If anything, it confirmed her commitment.

Then came the ultimate test. In 2018, back pains led to a diagnosis that would have ended many careers: cancer. Diagnosed in November 2018, Hämäläinen had planned more rallies—and proceeded anyway. She fought the disease with the same sisu—Finnish grit—that she brought to the stages. When she emerged on the other side, something had shifted. “But it’s actually weird because after that I’m not anymore scared about dying,” she said. Cancer had given her a strange gift: perspective. And freedom from fear.

In 2021, partnered with Lindholm in WRC-3, Hämäläinen scored victories in Finland and Spain (in Spain, she was listed as the driver to circumvent a rule loophole) and finished third in the championship points. The wins proved she and Lindholm had what it took. The following year, they’d prove it on the biggest stage.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2021: Victories in WRC-3 Finland and Spain with Emil Lindholm
• 2021: Third place in WRC-3 championship points with Emil Lindholm
• 2022: WRC2 Co-Drivers’ World Champion with Emil Lindholm—first woman to win a WRC2 title
• 2022: Podium finishes in WRC2 Croatia and Estonia
• 2022: Briefly led overall timings in Japan while securing the championship
• 2022: Drove Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 evo herself on the last Saturday stage to service when Lindholm needed rest

INSPIRATIONS

Hämäläinen’s father introduced her to rallying and gave her the foundation through their early co-driving partnership. The Finnish federation training program provided structure and opportunity. But her real inspiration seems to come from within—a relentless belief that her path isn’t finished yet, and that every race, every season, every driver and team taught her something new and brought her a step closer to where she wanted to be. “Passion is your best engine,” she’s said—a philosophy that carried her through snowbanks, crashes, and cancer to the top of the sport.

REPUTATION

Hämäläinen is regarded as an inspirational figure in rallying, both for her championship success and for what she overcame to achieve it. As the first woman to win a WRC2 title, she became part of the most successful season for women in rallying since Michèle Mouton in 1982, and the first female co-driver to win a WRC rally since Fabrizia Pons at the 1997 Monte Carlo Rally. The media coverage surrounding her 2022 championship was overwhelmingly positive, focusing on her trailblazing achievement and her embodiment of sisu—that uniquely Finnish quality of stoic determination and resilience in the face of adversity.

She’s built her reputation through years of steady work, building connections and partnerships throughout the rally community. Her partnership with Lindholm in the Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo has proven particularly potent, combining technical precision with the kind of trust that only comes from shared commitment. After clinching the championship in Japan in 2022, her gratitude was characteristically gracious: “Thank you team Emil. Just unbelievable work throughout the whole season. Thank you team. You are incredibly skillful professionals. Thanks to everyone in the background and to everyone who has been helping make this possible for us.” She thanked sponsors, organizers, WRC officials, and fans—recognizing that championship success is never a solo effort.

When she got the chance to drive the Škoda Fabia RS Rally2 herself on a stage, her reaction was pure joy: “It was unforgettable! For the first time ever, I got to drive the Fabia RS Rally2 myself, and it was so cool. The car is agile, powerful, and responsive. An amazing experience!” It’s a reminder that even world champions can still find wonder in the sport they’ve dedicated their lives to.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Defending a world championship is always tougher than winning it the first time, but Hämäläinen and Lindholm committed to a full WRC2 season in 2023 with the goal of proving their title wasn’t a fluke. Competing with Hyundai Motorsport N, they faced the inevitable challenges—including a retirement at WRC Rally Chile when something broke on the last day’s second special stage. But setbacks have never stopped her before.

“It has been a difficult path at times, but I wish to thank all those who have made it possible with me,” she said after winning the championship. “Of course, my path is not finished yet and there are more steps to take, but at the same time I hope I can and have set an example for other inspiring young women to follow.” For a woman who went from a frightened kid to a world champion who beat cancer along the way, it’s hard to bet against whatever comes next.

References:

How a trailblazing 2022 world champion defied the ultimate hurdle
Reeta Hämäläinen | Passion is your best engine
The Finnish co-driver taking ‘sisu’ to another level
Co-Drivers Hämäläinen and Mälkönen make history
Reeta Hämäläinen: From frightened kid to world champion
Lindholm had to retire in WRC Rally Chile Bio Bió