Leo Juhani "Leksa" Kinnunen (5 August 1943 – 26 July 2017) was a Finnish racing driver, and the first Formula One driver from Finland.

Kinnunen won the Nordic Challenge Cup in 1969, the Interserie from 1971–1973, and helped Porsche to take the World Sportscar Championship for manufacturers in 1970 (drivers championships were not awarded until 1981). In 1974, he switched to Formula One, but in addition to the problems with the underpowered Surtees TS16, his team soon ran into financial problems. He was the last driver to compete in Formula One using an open-face helmet.

Early career

Kinnunen started his racing career on motorcycles, but switched to four wheels after receiving his driver's license in the early 1960s. He quickly gained success in rallying, autocross and ice racing. He finished runner-up in the Finnish Rally Championship and matched the points total of the winner Simo Lampinen. Kinnunen also participated in the Finnish F3 Championship with an outdated Brabham in 1967, and a Titan which he drove to several victories in 1968, including one at Ahvenisto Race Circuit in which he managed to beat Swedish future Formula One star Ronnie Peterson.

International breakthrough

In 1969, Kinnunen made a complete switch to circuit racing and won the Nordic Challenge Cup, predecessor of the popular Interserie, with two wins and a second place at Keimola Motor Stadium after a close battle with Jochen Rindt. He was then invited to test a Porsche 917 at Österreichring and made such an impression that he was hired to partner Pedro Rodriguez in the World Sportscar Championship. The pair surprised the racing world by winning the first race, 24 Hours of Daytona, and went on to win the overall championship for Porsche. For Kinnunen, however, this was unsatisfying time. The car was built for Rodriguez' measurements and driving style, and after Kinnunen managed to quickly outpace him with his own set-ups, he wasn't allowed to modify the car to suit his style anymore. His chance to shine finally came at Targa Florio with the new Porsche 908/03 as Rodriguez was ill on the race day. On the final lap of the race, Kinnunen set a time of 33'36min, breaking the old lap record by 1½ minutes. This is still the fastest ever time recorded for the Sicilian road circuit.

Interserie

Kinnunen then moved on to drive Porsche 917 for Finnish AAW Racing Team in the Interserie. He won the championship in his debut year, despite withdrawing from the race at Norisring after seeing his former team-mate Rodriguez crash into the barriers and lose his life. He eventually went on to win the championship three times in a row, in 1971, 1972 and 1973, with a total of 18 heat and 11 outright wins. In 1973, he also participated in the World Rally Championship event 23rd 1000 Lakes Rally and finished third with his Porsche Carrera, behind Timo Mäkinen and Markku Alén.

Formula One

Kinnunen was close to moving to Formula One already for the 1971 season. With the help of Jochen Rindt he was negotiating for a race seat with Team Lotus, which was dominating the series at the time and eventually won the World Constructors' Championship that season. After Rindt's sudden death at Monza, the negotiations came to a halt. According to Kinnunen, Bernie Ecclestone wanted him to drive for free. Kinnunen turned down the offer and demanded a wage for his services, as he was a professional racer.

In 1974, Kinnunen was looking for a job and John Surtees offered him one of his new Formula One cars, Surtees TS16, on lease. Kinnunen accepted the offer since the Surtees TS14 had done well the previous season. After finally finding sponsorship, Kinnunen entered the series with a new team and a Cosworth DFV V8 3.0 litre engine. Antti Aarnio-Wihuri allowed the team to use the AAW Racing Team name, which was recognized and had a good reputation in racing circles.

AAW Racing's first Grand Prix at Nivelles turned out to be a disaster. The TS16 arrived in time for the race weekend, but Kinnunen had never even sat in the car before. It also turned out that the car had been used as a mobile testbed by the factory, and it already had a damaged monocoque and rear suspension. On top of that, it was 80 kilos overweight, the engine lacked power and the team was not allowed to get the top quality tires used by the top teams. When Kinnunen took the car on track, its gearbox broke after three laps. The team, consisting of only three mechanics, had no spare parts and repair work turned out to be unsuccessful, as the gearbox broke again in qualifying, leaving Kinnunen without a recorded time and the only driver not to qualify for the race.

After Nivelles, the team concentrated on testing and fixing the car. They did not travel to Monaco but entered the next race in Sweden. Kinnunen qualified 25th, and while usually only 24 drivers would be allowed to start, Kinnunen's good standing within the Swedish motorsport circle meant an exception was made for him and he was allowed to start.

The AAW team knew that the car would not last the whole race, so they fueled it for only ten laps in order to make a quick press run. This compensated for the TS16's heavy weight, and Kinnunen managed to overtake five cars in eight laps before a spark plug problem forced him to retire. Kinnunen later stated that a spark plug thread in the cylinder head had been stripped prior to the race. A Ferrari mechanic had loaned them a threaded insert kit to fix it, but a mechanic inadvertently damaged the threads while installing the plug and it never seated properly.

The rest of the season did not go well for the team either. They were not allowed to take part in the Dutch Grand Prix, and failed to qualify for the races in France, Great Britain, Italy or Austria. Lack of funding then forced the team to retire from Formula One.

Later career

After his short stint in Formula One, Kinnunen went back to the Interserie for the series' last event in Hockenheim. He won both heats, and placed sixth overall in the championship just for the points from this race. Kinnunen was then hired by Martini Racing to drive a Porsche 908 Turbo in the World Sportscar Championship in 1975. Partnered with Herbert Müller, his best result of the season was third at Nürburgring. In 1976, he switched teams and raced a Porsche 934 Turbo with Egon Evertz. They managed to collect three podium places and the highlight of the season was a second place at Watkins Glen. After the season the team quit in racing due to financial problems. Kinnunen quit his circuit racing career in 1977, but still raced in a few rally events in Finland, winning the 1979 Arctic Rally. He remained in the sport in administration and lived in Turku.

Kinnunen was asked to drive in the film Le Mans personally by actor and racing enthusiast Steve McQueen, who himself drove for Porsche in North America. Kinnunen's contract with Porsche did not allow the performance and he was replaced by David Piper, who was severely injured during the filming.

Other results in track racing (not Formula 1 or Le Mans)

Day Race Car Drivers Manufacturer Classification 19.6.1966 Keimola [GT/S] Porsche 911 Kinnunen 11.9.1966 Artukainen [Specials] VW MAC-1 Kinnunen 4. 5.5.1967 II Helsingin Vauhtikisat Brabham BT21 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen 4. 28.5.1967 I Helsingin Suurajot Brabham BT18 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen (AAW Racing ?) 4. 6.8.1967 II Hämeenlinna Ajot Brabham BT18 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen 2. 3.9.1967 Keimola Brabham BT18 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen 11. 5.9.1967 Ahvenisto Brabham BT18 Kinnunen DNF 7.6.1968 Hämeenlinna Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen 1. 28.7.1968 Djursland Ring Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen AAW Racing Teeam 2. 4.8.1968 XV Västkustloppet Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen AAW Racing Team 3. 18.8.1968 VI Hämeenlinnan Ajot Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen AAW Racing Team 2. 1.9.1968 Stockholmsloppet Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen DNF 15.9.1968 Suomen Grand Prix Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen DNF 11.5.1969 IV Helsingin Vauhtikisat Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen AAW Racing Team 3. 15.6.1969 Hämeenlinnan Kansainväliset Ajot Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen AAW Racing Team 3. 24.8.1969 Nordic Challenge Keimola Porsche 908/02 Kinnunen AAW 2. 31.8.1969 Nordic Challenge Mantorp Park Porsche 908/02 Kinnunen AAW 1. 2.9.1969 Suomen Grand Prix Titan Mk 3 Kinnunen 2. 14.9.1969 Nordic Challenge Anderstorp Porsche 908/02 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 18.1.1970 200 mile Buenos Aires Porsche 908/02 Kinnunen / van Lennep DNA 1.2.1970 24 Hours of Daytona Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen / Redman J. W. Engineering 1. 21.3.1970 12 h Sebring Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen / Siffert J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 4. 12.4.1970 1000 km Brands Hatch Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 1. 25.4.1970 1000 km Monza Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 1. 3.5.1970 Targa Florio Porsche 908/03 Kinnunen / Rodriguez J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 2. 17.5.1970 1000 km Spa Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. DNF 31.5.1970 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. DNF 11.7.1970 6 h Watkins Glen Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. 1. 19.7.1970 GP Mugello Abarth 2000 SP Kinnunen Abarth & C. 2. 23.8.1970 Interserie Keimola McLaren M12 Kinnunen Bill Bradley Racing 8. 6.9.1970 500 km Nürburgring Abarth 2000 SP Kinnunen Abarth & Co. 3. 11.10.1970 1000 km Zeltweg Porsche 917 Rodriguez / Kinnunen J. W. Automotive Engineering Ltd. DNF 2.5.1971 Interserie Imola Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen A.A.W. Racing Team 3. 16.5.1971 Targa Florio Alfa Romeo T33/3 Stommelen / Kinnunen Autodelta S.p.a. DNF 30.5.1971 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 911 S Kinnunen / Waldegård Leo Kinnunen 16. 6.6.1971 Interserie Zolder Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 2. 4.7.1971 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 2. 11.7.1971 Interserie Norisring Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen AAW Racing Team DNF 22.8.1971 Interserie Keimola Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen AAW Racing Team 1. 12.9.1971 500 km Imola Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen A.A.W. Racing Team 4. 3.10.1971 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917 Spyder Kinnunen A.A.W. Racing Team. 3. 17.10.1971 1000 km of Paris Porsche 917 Spyder Larrousse / Kinnunen A.A.W. 2. 3.4.1972 Interserie Nürburgring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW (Keimola Racing) 4. 1.5.1972 Interserie Imola Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW DNF 21.5.1972 Interserie Silverstone Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 9.7.1972 Interserie Zeltweg Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 9. 16.7.1972 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 6.8.1972 Interserie Norisring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 27.8.1972 Interserie Keimola Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 24.9.1972 Interserie Nürburgring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 1.10.1972 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Racing Team AAW 1. 1.4.1973 Interserie Nürburgring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsportclub Stuttgart – Racing Team AAW 2. 1.5.1973 Interserie Imola Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 2. 13.5.1973 Targa Florio Porsche 911 Carrera RSR Kinnunen / Haldi Martini Racing 3. 20.5.1973 Interserie Silverstone Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 1. 24.6.1973 Interserie Norisring Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 1. 1.7.1973 Mainz-Finthen [S+1.6] Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Leo Kinnunen 1. 15.7.1973 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsport-Club Stuttgart e. V. Racing Team AAW 9. 19.8.1973 Interserie Misano Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen Motorsport-Club Stuttgart/Racing Team AAW 1. 30.9.1973 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917/10 Kinnunen MSC Stuttgart 1. 29.9.1974 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 917/30 Kinnunen Martini Racing Team 1. 23.3.1975 1000 km Mugello Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen / Müller / van Lennep Team Dr. Dannesberger 16. 6.4.1975 800 km Dijon Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen Julio Gargallo DNA 4.5.1975 1000 km Spa Porsche 908/3 Müller / Kinnunen Martini Racing DNF 18.5.1975 Coppa Florio Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen / Müller Dr. H. Dannesberger 7. 1.6.1975 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 908/3 Müller / Kinnunen Martini-Racing-Team Dr. H. Dannesberger 3. 15.6.1975 24 h Le Mans Porsche 908/3 Müller / Kinnunen Herbert Müller DNA 29.6.1975 Interserie Misano Porsche 908/3 Müller / Kinnunen Dr. H. Dannesberger 9. 21.3.1976 6 h Mugello Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz Solingen 3. 4.4.1976 6h Vallelunga Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz K.G. DNF 25.4.1976 4h Monza Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz DNS 9.5.1976 6h Silverstone Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz 3. 30.5.1976 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz KG, Sollingen DNF 27.6.1976 6h Zeltweg Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Schurti / Evertz Egon Evertz KG DNF 10.7.1976 6h Watkins Glen Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Hezemans / Evertz Egon Evertz K.G. 2. 1.8.1976 Euro GT Misano Porsche 934 Kinnunen NC 29.8.1976 Interserie Hockenheim Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen Egon Evertz KG. DNA 4.9.1976 6h Dijon Porsche 934 Kinnunen / Evertz Egon Evertz 4. 5.9.1976 500 km Dijon Porsche 908/3 Kinnunen Egon Evertz DNF 12.9.1976 DRM Nürburgring Supersprint Porsche 934 Kinnunen Egon Evertz KG Schwießtechnik 2. 19.9.1976 200 mile Salzburgring Porsche 908/3 Evertz / Kinnunen Evertz KG DNA 26.9.1976 DRM Hockenheim Porsche 934 Kinnunen Egon Evertz Schwießtechnik Solingen 6. 31.10.1976 Euro GT Hockenheim Porsche 934 Kinnunen Schweißtechnik Egon Evertz KG DNA 20.3.1977 6h Mugello Porsche 934 Evertz / Kinnunen Egon Evertz DNA 29.5.1977 1000 km Nürburgring Porsche 935 Kinnunen / Neuhaus / Krebs Josef Brambring DNF 5.5.1985 National SS Ahvenisto Saab 900 Kinnunen DNA 26.5.1985 Nordic SS Kemora Saab 900 Kinnunen DNA 26.5.1985 National SS Kemora Saab 900 Kinnunen 11. 9.6.1985 National SS Ahvenisto II Saab 900 Kinnunen TUA DNF 1985 Kemora Saab 900 Kinnunen 6. 9.6.1985 Nordic SS Ahvenisto II Saab 900 Kinnunen DNS 11.8.1985 National SS Ahvenisto III Saab 900 Kinnunen DNS 11.8.1985 Nordic SS Ahvenisto III Saab 900 Kinnunen 9. 1.9.1985 National SS Kemora II Saab 900 Kinnunen DNA

Complete Rally results (including WRC races mentioned before)

Day Race Co-driver Car Classification 18.7.–19.7. 1964 Kuopio Ralli Charles Lindholm Volvo PV544 2. 14.8.–16.8. 1964 Jyväskylän Suurajot Lindholm Volvo PV544 35. 16.1.–25.1. 1965 Monte Carlo Rally Timo Karlsson Volvo 122 S DNF 10.7.–11.7. 1965 Itäralli Ilkka Repo Fiat Abarth 1000 DNF 5.1.–6.1. 1966 Riihimäki-Ralli Tapio Klen Volkswagen 1600 TL 1. 25.2.–27.2. 1966 Hankiralli Klen Volkswagen 1600 TL 6. 14.5.–15.5. 1966 Salpausselkä Ralli Klen Volkswagen 1600 TL DNF 9.7.–10.7. 1966 Itäralli Klen Volkswagen 1600 TL DNF 19.8.–21.8. 1966 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kalevi Leivo Volkswagen 1600 L 37. 29.10.–3010. 1966 Pohjola Ralli Leivo Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 5.1.–6.1. 1967 Riihimäki-Ralli Leivo Volkswagen 1500 3. 24.2.–26.2. 1967 Hankiralli Klen Volkswagen 1500 4. 8.7.–9.7. 1967 Itäralli Martti Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L 1. 18.8.–20.8. 1967 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 9.9.–10.9. 1967 Tampere Ralli Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 11.11.–12.11. 1967 Helsinki Ralli Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L 3. 23.2.–25.2. 1968 Hankiralli Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L 2. 9.3.–10.3. 1968 Tunturiralli Jyrki Ahava Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 25.5.–26.5. 1968 Salpausselkä Ralli Ahava Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 5.7.–7.7. 1968 Itäralli Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 16.8.–18.8. 1968 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kolari Porsche 911 T DNF 25.10.–27.10. 1968 Pohjola Ralli Ahava Volkswagen 1600 L 5. 4.1.–5.1. 1969 Riihimäki-Ralli Ahava Volkswagen 1600 L 21. 21.2.–23.2. 1969 Hankiralli Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L 4. 14.5.–15.5. 1969 Länsirannikon Ralli Kolari Volkswagen 1600 L DNF 15.8.–17.8. 1969 Jyväskylän Suurajot Kolari Porsche 911 S DNF 28.11.–30.11. 1969 Pohjola Ralli Kolari Porsche 911 S 1. 20.2.–22.2. 1970 Hankiralli Erkki Salonen Saab 96 DNF 20.8.–23.8. 1970 Jyväskylän Suurajot Salonen Saab 96 DNF 12.9.–13.9. 1970 Kesoil Ralli Salonen Saab 96 11. 26.2.–28.2. 1971 Hankiralli Urpo Vihervaara Datsun 1600 DNF 26.11.–28.11. 1971 Pohjola Ralli Atso Aho Volkswagen 1302 S 1. 4.2.–6.2. 1972 Arctic Tunturiralli Aho Porsche 911 S 1. 3.3.–5.3. 1972 Hankiralli Aho Porsche 911 S DNF 2.2.–4.2. 1973 Arctic Tunturiralli Jaakko Markula Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV DNF 3.8.–5.8. 1973 Jyväskylän Suurajot Aho Porsche Carrera 3. 24.11.–25.11. 1973 Pohjola Ralli Aho Volkswagen 1302 S DNF 31.1.–2.2. 1974 Marlboro Arctic Rally Aho Volkswagen 1302 S DNF 2.8.–4.8. 1974 Jyväskylän Suurajot Aho Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye 6. 16.11.–20.11. 1974 Lombard RAC Rally Aho Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye 14. 31.1.–2.2. 1975 Marlboro Arctic Rally Vihervaara Toyota Corolla DNF 28.2.–2.3. 1975 Hankiralli Vihervaara Datsun 160J DNF 20.9.–21.9. 1975 Kesoil Ralli Tapio Pinomäki Volkswagen 1302 S DNF 29.1.–1.2. 1976 Marlboro Arctic Rally Aho Volvo 66 DNF 14.2.–15.2. 1976 Mänttä 200-ajo Jorma Pulkkinen Volvo 66 DNF 5.3.–7.3. 1976 Hankiralli Pulkkinen Volvo 66 DNF 19.6.–20.6. 1976 Oulujärven Ralli Pulkkinen Volvo 66 7. 13.11.–14.11. 1976 Pohjola Ralli Pulkkinen Volvo 66 1. 8.1.–9.1. 1977 Riihimäki-Ralli Pulkkinen Volvo 66 63. 4.2.–6.2. 1977 Marlboro Arctic Rally Roman Fehrmann Volvo 66 DNF 18.2.–20.2. 1977 Hankiralli Fehrmann Volvo 66 11. 26.8.–28.8 1977 Jyväskylän Suurajot Pulkkinen Porsche 911 DNF 17.9.–18.9. 1977 Länsirannikon Ralli Fehrmann Porsche 911 2. 29.10.–30.10. 1977 Teboil Ralli Fehrmann Porsche 911 DNF 12.11.–13.11. 1977 Helsinki Ralli Fehrmann Porsche 911 DNF 26.11.–27.11. 1977 Pohjola Ralli Fehrmann Porsche 911 3. 3.2.–5.2. 1978 Marlboro Arctic Rally Fehrmann Porsche 911 DNF 2.2.–3.2. 1979 Arctic Rally Jussi Kuukkala Porsche 911 1. 24.8.–28.8. 1979 Jyväskylän Suurajot Salonen Porsche 911 DNF 15.9.–16.9. 1979 Länsirannikon Ralli Salonen Porsche Carrera DNF 20.10.–21.10. 1979 Teboil Ralli Pentti Kuukkala Porsche Carrera 3. 24.11.–25.11. 1979 Pohjola Ralli Kuukkala Porsche Carrera DNF 2.2.–3.2. 1980 Arctic Rally Salonen Porsche Carrera DNF 29.2.–2.3. 1980 Hankiralli Kuukkala Porsche Carrera DNF 31.1.–1.2. 1981 Arctic Rally Kuukkala Porsche Carrera DNF 28.8.–30.8. 1981 1000 Lakes Rally Risto Anttila Porsche 911 SC DNF 27.8.–29.8. 1982 1000 Lakes Rally Anttila Porsche 911 SC DNF