The driver, who celebrated his birthday on Saturday, ended a decades-long wait.
Kalle Rovanperä and Jonne Halttunen celebrate Finnish time on Sunday. PDO
Kalle Rovanperä was only two years old when Marcus “Bosse” Grönholm pushed Peugeot to the second world championship of his career. After that, a 20-year wait began, until finally, on Sunday in New Zealand, Rovanperä decided the championship.
Toyota team manager Jari-Matti Latvala commented in an interview with WRC that he and Mikko Hirvonen tried to bring the next championship to Finland, but unfortunately the rally routes were dominated by the French during their time.
– Me and Mikko were so close to winning the title, but we couldn’t do it. There were two Sebastien (Loeb and Ogier) and one (Ott) Thank youLatvala said.
Rovanperä becomes the seventh Finnish rally world champion in Finnish history. Markku Alén is also the champion, but in the winning season of 1978, the drivers’ series did not yet have a World Championship status.
Rovanperä becomes the youngest world champion in the sport at the age of 22 years and 1 day.
The one who sat next to me and read the sheet music Jonne Halttusen becomes the sixth Finnish cartographer who has ridden a world champion during the World Cup season.
The Finnish rally world champions
Juha Kankkunen: 1986, 1987, 1991, 1993 PDO
Tommi Mäkinen: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999 Seppo Haavisto / AOP
Marcus Grönholm: 2000, 2002 PDO
Kalle Rovanperä: 2022 Vesa Pöppönen / All Over Press