Rovanperä comments on his future in the World Rally Championship.
Kalle Rovanperä is currently preparing for the Safari Rally in Kenya, which starts on Thursday, but the Finn’s future in the World Rally Championship has been talked about recently.
Rumors around Rovanperä began to circulate after the World Rally Championship in Sardinia in early June. A couple of weeks ago, it was reported that Rovanperä’s affairs were to be taken care of Timo Jouhki has held negotiations not only with Toyota, the current team of the Finnish star, but also with Hyundai’s WRC team.
Rovanperä’s current contract expires at the end of this year. As the world champion, Rovanperä is a sought-after name in the driver market, so it is completely normal that there are discussions in all directions.
– I haven’t read practically anything from the media since Sardinia. But you don’t see me driving a rally car, Rovanperä mused at the service area of the Safari rally in Naivasha.
Another topic of conversation regarding Rovanperä has been for a long time how long the Puuppola rally ace can compete in the special stages of the World Rally Championship. The man is only 22 years old, but he has already been competing at the top of the sport for several years.
– I will definitely drive in the World Rally Championship for at least a while longer. I can say that. But for how long? I don’t know that, the world champion said.
In addition to the rally, Rovanperä also competes hard in drifting this summer. The second sport takes an even bigger slice of Finns’ free time.
– It’s a different passion. It’s more about enjoyment and hobby. I can’t directly compare the sports, but in a certain way, drifting is closer to the heart when you do those things with friends and family. There is no pressure to win.
The goal is victory
In addition to rallying, Kalle Rovanperä is also interested in drifting. PDO
Rovanperä is one of the biggest favorites to win the Safari rally. Last year, he drove Kenya’s challenging savanna sections to first place and led Toyota to a handsome quadruple victory.
This year, Rovanperä will once again start as the first car for Friday’s special tests, because he is leading the World Championship.
– Of course, the goals are quite clear after last year’s victory. We will of course defend it. This year, all the teams are definitely much closer to each other.
– The cars in the others are much stronger, so it will be challenging and certainly more racing this weekend. Let’s try our best and challenge for victory, Rovanperä said.
In Kenya, the special tests familiar from the past years are used, but the drivers and map readers had enough to do in the notation contract. Due to the recent rains, several surprises were found on the route.
– Although the clips are almost exactly the same, they have changed quite a lot. I had to change the notes a lot. Some bends have disappeared completely and some bends have become more, Rovanperä described.