Jari-Matti Latvala commented in the Toyota announcement how exceptional the Rovanperä game movement is.
Jari-Matti Latvala is the Toyota team manager. Vesa Pöppönen/AOP
Kalle Rovanperä announced on Thursday that after the current season, he will end his career in the World Rally Championship.
The double world champion first moves to Japan to the Super Formula Championship series with the support of Toyota. In 2027, the goal is the F2 series.
Toyota’s team manager Jari-Matti Latvala encourages Rovanperä in the new area of the area.
-Kale has already had an incredible WRC career in Toyota. He became the youngest rally winner and world champion in history, then the double world champion. He has achieved so much at a young age. So it is natural that he wants to try another challenge, Latvala comments in the Toyota release.
However, according to Latvala, the pattern is exceptional.
– We have seen that racing drivers are experimenting with rally, but very rarely there is movement in the other direction. Especially that the rally driver tries to challenge the best in one-seater track.
– Toyota Gazoo Racing wants to help drivers to chase their dreams. I do not believe that many manufacturers would give such an opportunity. This is exciting on both sides.
The dull will come
Kalle Rovanperä changes the series. Vesa Pöppönen / AOP
Latvala admits in the announcement that Rovanperä and Karter Jonne Halttunen have given Toyota a lot. He believes that the duo wants to end their farewell to the World Championship.
That would be the finest crown for cooperation.
– We’ll miss him. However, Toyota has developed young talented drivers. We are confident that we have a strong driver’s cover in the 2026 season and after that, Latvala praises.
The World Rally season will continue next week in Central Europe.