the Team

About Emil

Emil Lindholm is a Finnish professional rally driver, the 2022 WRC2 World Champion and a test driver for Škoda Motorsport. Based in Helsinki, he combines international competition with car development work, bringing an analytical approach to both driving and understanding the machinery beneath him.

Emil’s route to the world stage has included experience in both rallying and circuit racing. in 2015 and 2016, he competed in the Audi Sport TT Cup, claiming a pole position and multiple podium finishes in the category, as well as racing in the ADAC GT Masters in 2016 and 2017. In 2018, rallying became the main focus of his career, and his overall victory at the 2019 Arctic Lapland Rally marked an important step forward.

In 2021, Emil won the Finnish Rally Championship and finished third in WRC3. Those results set the foundation for his biggest achievement the following year: winning the 2022 WRC2 Championship alongside co-driver Reeta Hämäläinen. The pair secured the title with a podium finish at Rally Japan, bringing a season of international competition to a memorable conclusion.

The championship opened a new chapter in Emil’s career. He joined the Hyundai Motorsport’s Driverr Development Programme in 2023, competing in WRC2. He also fulfilled a long-held ambition to drive Rally1 machinery, gaining valuable experience in testing cars at the sport’s highest level. In 2025, he returned to Škoda machinery, with Toksport WRT, alongside an expanded role in developing the Fabia RS Rally2. His 2026 programme combined WRC2 competition with Gabriel Morales and continued testing for Škoda Motorsport.

Car development is an important part of Emil’s work. He enjoys the process of understanding how a car behaves, identifying where performance can be improved and working with engineers to turn feedback into practical changes. His experience across different disciplines, manufacturers and surfaces gives him a broad perspective on handling, driveability and the confidence a driver needs to perform at speed.

That interest in understanding how things work extends beyond motorsport. Emil graduated from Hanken School of Economics with a Master’s degree in Finance in 2024, completing his studies alongside his international rally career. He is also actively involved in the business behind his competition programme, from budgeting and planning to building partnerships and working with sponsors.

Away from the car, Emil spends much of his time training. Road cycling, strength training and cross-country skiing form part of his routine, helping him prepare for the physical demands of competition while providing a change of pace from life on the road.

Today, Emil’s focus is on competing at the highest level of rallying and contributing to the development of the next generation of rally cars. Whether on a special stage or a test road, he approaches the work with the same aim: to keep learning, understand the details and find more performance.