Toyota’s Finnish driver coped admirably with his difficult career on the opening day of the Swedish World Rally Championship.
Kalle Rovanperä had to plow the route for others on Friday’s driving day. AOP
Swedish World Rally Championship
Situation after Friday:
1. Thierry Neuville, Hyundai
2. Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota +4.3
3. Elfyn Evans, Toyota +7.4
4. Esapekka Lapland, Toyota +8.8
5. Oliver Solberg, Hyundai +28.1
6. Takamoto Katsuta, Toyota +1.18.9
Kalle Rovanperä drove the first car to pass Friday’s special stages. During the morning run, Toyota driver Rovanperä did not suffer from his starting point and arrived at the top spot for a maintenance break.
The situation turned on its head in the afternoon’s special stages. Toyota team manager Jari-Matti Latvala already reminded Rovanperä of the harsh fact during maintenance.
– I tried to warn him that the afternoon would be difficult. It came as no surprise that Kalle was suffering there. It’s the same old story as that Sebastien Ogier usually complained that it is awful to be the first car in Sweden, Latvala told Iltalehti.
Rovanperä dropped to sixth place for a moment in the afternoon, but in the last two special stages, the Finnish driver was in a great blow again. At the end of the opening day, Rovanperä rose to second place just 4.3 seconds from the leading Hyundai Thierry Neuville.
– Kalle fought well. He now has the conditions to fight for victory, Latvala underlined.
Toyota’s entire trio kept a good start on the opening day of the Swedish Rally. Rovanperä is followed by teammates Elfyn Evans and Esapekka Lapland ranked three and four. The top four fits in just 8.8 seconds.
– I have to say we’re happy. We are in a good position, although we are not leading the rally. Drivers and cars performed well from today, Latvala summed up.
Lapland drove one base time during Friday and is firmly in the race.
– I told Esapeka before the race that I know she can find momentum, but she has to remember that there is no routine.
Hyundain Neuville and Ott Tänak were able to challenge Toyota on Friday, although Tänak left after the fifth special stage in the middle of the day due to a fault in the hybrid unit.
– It has been a surprise that Hyundait has been at such a good pace. It’s a great thing for the series, Latvala said.
The Swedish World Rally Championship will continue on Saturday with six special stages.