RIP Leo Kinnunen
Posted: 26 Jul 2017, 19:56
I just learned on Twitter that the first Finn and the last F1 entrant to wear an open-face helmet has passed away today. 
No disrespect to Karl Ebb or Hans Laine intended, but we've just lost the first great Finnish road racer (and probably the first racing celebrity in the country - even if it was on the "yellow pages", partly because of his wife who was also a small time celebrity here). Reportedly even had an offer from Colin Chapman in 1971, but it didn't work out.
The less said about the F1 effort the better, but Kinnunen's main achievements include:
24 Hours of Daytona in 1970
World Sportscar Champion 1970 (both with Pedro Rodriguez and Brian Redman)
Interserie Champion 1971-73
Lap record holder of the Targa Florio
In addition, Leo was also a very competent rally driver and finished on the podium of the 1000 Lakes Rally, and won quite a few local events.
Thankfully, a link to modern day F1 lives on: the owner of the AAW Racing outfit that Leo raced for, Antti Aarnio-Wihuri, has been one of Valtteri Bottas' major backers for the last 10 years or so, and Kinnunen was as well one of Bottas' idols which Leo took much pride about. This year Leo, still a keen follower of motorsport, was there to witness Valtteri's maiden victory at Sochi - and regardless of his condition, reportedly Kinnunen was moved to tears to be able to see it.
Rest in Peace.