Securing the World Rally Championship title in 1981 marked the ascent of Ari Vatanen, a Finnish athlete who later transitioned from the cockpit to the halls of European governance. His career spanned diverse international stages, moving from the demanding gravel of global rally circuits to the legislative chambers of Brussels and Strasbourg over a ten-year political tenure.
Early Motorsport Trajectory
Vatanen began rallying in 1970 and made his World Rally Championship debut at the 1974 1000 Lakes Rally. A victory in the Nortti Rally, driving an Opel Ascona, drew professional attention to his abilities. By 1975, he participated in his first international event, the Rothmans 747 Rally in Jamaica. This led to a professional contract with the Ford team, where he secured the British Rally Championship in 1976 and 1980. His inaugural World Championship win occurred at the 1980 Acropolis Rally.
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In 1984, Vatanen joined the Peugeot factory team to pilot the 205 T16, achieving five consecutive world rally victories. However, a major crash at the 1985 Rally Argentina resulted in severe physical trauma and prolonged recovery. Following an absence from professional racing, he returned to competition, winning the Paris-Dakar Rally four times between 1987 and 1991. He additionally achieved success at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb in a Peugeot 405 T16.
Legislative Tenure
Vatanen entered formal politics in Finland, serving as a municipal councillor. In 1999, he was elected to the European Parliament, representing the Finnish National Coalition party. During his first term, he resided in France, where he had established a winery. He secured re-election in 2004 under the banner of the French Union for a Popular Movement, serving until 2009. His parliamentary portfolio focused on traffic policy, car taxation, development aid, and agricultural regulations.
Fast facts
- Born: 27 April 1952, Tuupovaara, Finland
- World Rally Champion: 1981
- Paris-Dakar Rally victories: 4
- MEP term: 1999–2009
- Knight First Class of the Order of the Lion of Finland: 1986
- Order of Merit (Ukraine), 3rd class: 2008
- Languages spoken: Finnish, French, English
Questions readers ask
Which teams did Vatanen represent in his career?
He competed for Ford, Opel, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, and Subaru.
Did Vatanen represent Finland or France in the European Parliament?
He was elected from Finland in 1999 and from France in 2004.
