Esapekka Lappi raises her hat to Kalle Rovanperä’s decision to head towards new challenges.
Kalle Rovanperä’s decision to end his rally career did not come as a surprise to Esapekka Lap.
– I think I already said last year that he won’t drive anymore after this season, Lappi states.
Lappi appreciates his younger compatriot’s decision to abandon the world of rallying and boldly pursue his dream, a place in Formula One.
– I appreciate that Kalle dares to do what he wants. He has achieved his dream in rallying. Now it would have just been whether to chase nine world championships or money. Or do something else and pursue a new dream. He chose it now, which is a really great thing, says Lappi.
Lappi and Rovanperä have a lot to do, for example through the motorsport specialty store they jointly own, RTE Motorsport.
– I haven’t talked to Kalle about the termination issue. Of other things, yes, Lappi says.
This maybe the problem
Rovanperä drove rally since he was a child. So there was little karting experience. PDO
Despite his young age, Rovanperä has been rallying for a very long time.
Driving a rally car hit the spinal cord from an early age. On the other hand, karting experience is significantly less.
Lappi, who drove karting successfully for years before switching to rallying, doesn’t think this will be any challenge for Rovanpera.
– Yes, Kalle knows how to drive. Karting itself doesn’t teach you that.
And Rovanperä is not a completely inexperienced track racer. However, the caboose and the formula are two completely different beasts.
– Of course, Kalle lacks proper experience in physical racing against others. It can be one such thing where there can be learning. But I have no doubt that Kalle will succeed.
The whole of Finland and actually the world that follows motor sports are looking forward to the start of Rovanperä’s new career. Lapland belongs to this group.
– It will be an incredibly sweet story, if and when it succeeds.
Esapekka Lappi appreciates Kalle Rovanperä’s decision. Pasi Liesimaa