full-time in 2020, but the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic halted these plans; he only competed in the Chūbu-Kinki Rally that year, winning the rally. He would finally compete full-time in the series in 2021 with Kitagawa in the JN2 class; Kovalainen dominated the championship, achieving a class victory in all six races and clinching the championship with a round to spare. Following his Super GT exit, Kovalainen concentrated on rallying full-time in the Japan Rally Championship with Rally Team AICELLO, now driving a Škoda Fabia R5 in the JN1 class. He also announced plans to potentially compete in Rally Japan, the final round of the World Rally Championship, in a WRC2 car. 24 Hours of Le Mans Kovalainen was slated to compete in the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans in the #72 Porsche 911 RSR-19 for HubAuto Racing, alongside fellow Super GT competitor Nick Cassidy and GT racer Dries Vanthoor; a clashing commitment caused by the rescheduling of the Suzuka Round of the 2021 Super GT Series meant that Kovalainen and Cassidy were ultimately unable to attend. They were replaced by Álvaro Parente and Maxime Martin. Despite this, Kovalainen stated that he would still be open to racing at Le Mans should an opportunity arise, although the Japan Rally Championship was still his priority. Personal life In 2014, Kovalainen married his English girlfriend Catherine Hyde, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2002. They live in Coppet, Switzerland. Kovalainen plays the drums and golfs in his free time. Racing record Career summary Complete GP2 Series results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Complete Formula One results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Did not finish, but was classified as he had completed more than 90% of the race distance. Complete Super GT results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) References External links 1981 births Living people People from Suomussalmi Finnish racing drivers Karting World Championship drivers British Formula Renault 2.0 drivers British Formula Three Championship drivers GP2 Series drivers Finnish Formula One drivers Renault Formula One drivers McLaren Formula One drivers Team Lotus (2010–11) Formula One drivers Caterham Formula One drivers Lotus F1 Formula One drivers Super GT drivers Formula One race winners Fortec Motorsport drivers Pons Racing drivers Arden International drivers Sportspeople from Kainuu