Rovanperä anticipates that he will suffer in Monte Carlo.
Kalle Rovanperä was thoughtful after the test special stage of the Monte Carlo race that opens the World Rally Championship season.
Rovanperä, who is making a comeback as a full-season driver, fired with shakedown the second time of the entire group, but was worried that the conditions might turn against him at the start of the race.
After his first bet, Rovanperä complained that there was a lot of dirt on the road before his turn.
The Finn started seventh, and he has the same starting position in the first nine special stages of the rally on Thursday and Friday.
– Today it rained a lot in all parts and tomorrow it will rain until half of the day. Even if the road dries out, the cuts will definitely be wet. At our place of departure, we will certainly suffer from it. The road slows down car by car, Rovanperä worried to Iltalehte.
Difficult to drive
In addition to the conditions, Rovanperä and the other WRC stars have a lot to worry about with tire tactics.
From this year onward, Hankook will operate as the tire manufacturer of the World Rally Championship, and the drivers do not yet have much experience with the South Korean manufacturer’s tires.
Kalle Rovanperä has a lot to think about. Toyota GAZOO Racing WRT
– There is quite a lot to learn about new tires. Even now, it was noticed that even though the “supersoft” goes into traffic in this kind of weather, it doesn’t get as warm as it should, Rovanperä stated.
– It’s quite a difficult tire to drive if it’s cold, wet and muddy – then it’s really slippery all the time.
Big question
In addition to the tires, one significant change has also been made to the main category Rally1 cars. The racers no longer have a hybrid unit, which is why the cars have less power than in previous seasons. At the same time, however, the cars have also become lighter.
Rovanperä estimates that the changes can significantly affect this year’s championship battle.
– Tires are the biggest question mark, and who will learn them the fastest. The car is a bit lighter and the feeling in the car is also different without the hybrid. Certainly there will be a difference in learning the car and the tire, especially in the early season, the world champion said.
The Monte Carlo rally has never been among Rovanperä’s favorites. The Finn still lacks a victory in the classic race, and he has not set it as his goal this time either.
The most important thing for Rovanpera is to have a good start to the season, which would act as a springboard towards a third world championship.