Timo Jouhki tells about Kalle Rovanperä’s contract negotiations

Kalle Rovanperä still has a year left on his current contract. Toyota Gazoo Racing

Kalle Rovanperä is the hottest driver in the World Rally Championship.

The 21-year-old driver’s next contract will surely take into account his rise to the brightest elite of the series. With the highest probability, in the next contract negotiations, Rovanperä’s title will be world champion.

Rovanperä’s manager Timo Jouhki says that the Finn is currently driving his first option year of the 2+2 model contract he signed with Toyota starting from the 2020 season.

The rides with the Japanese brand will certainly continue next season as well. According to Jouhki, there will be no rush from 2024 onwards.

– The time for those negotiations is only next year. I can’t say anything about the time yet, Jouhki tells Iltalehti.

According to Jouhki, it is usual not to think about extension contracts at this stage of a long contract. The lack of urgency is also understandable in terms of Rovanperä’s market value. It will only grow as Rovanperä collects more wins.

– I have to see how it goes before the negotiations. If things go well, it’s easier to negotiate, Jouhki states.

Toyoda blesses

Toyota is one of the world’s largest car manufacturers. The rally hall is just one, but even more important part of the huge organization.

Jouhki says that he is negotiating the Rovanperä contract with the Finnish unit responsible for the operation of Toyota’s rally team.

However, the Finnish teams do not decide anything in the finals. According to Jouhki, the blessing of Rovanperä’s, or any other driver’s, contract goes all the way to Toyota’s top management.

– I would guess that in the last resort Akio (ToyodaCEO of Toyota) or one of his closest subordinates accepts the contract.

Matured into a top driver

Jouhki says that Rovanperä is in a better negotiating position the better he performs in the games.

After the World Rally Championship in Estonia, Rovanperä has a couple more tricks up his sleeve.

Even the rally manager, who has seen and experienced everything, admits that the exaggerations gradually run out even in the middle of commenting on Rovanperä’s performances

– Great performance, once again. Smart and mature driving. Kalle has the terrific ability that even from his very fast base speed, he can increase his speed even more if necessary. That’s why Power Stage performances like Estonia are seen. No one is capable of similar performances, Jouhki enthuses.

Jouhki does not doubt for a moment that Rovanperä, who exudes self-confidence, will continue to make a strong mark in the future.

It is worth remembering that we are talking about a young man who is only 21 years old. Jouhki highlights Rovanperä’s maturity.

So is Kalle ready as a driver?

– Yes absolutely. All the elements are in place. Driving speed has been fine for a long time. Now a balance has also been found. He also knows how to think and read tactical things during the competition.

Better than Loeb

For other drivers, Jouhki’s next words are disturbing to hear. For Finnish rally fans, though, pure manna.

– Kalle will develop even more. Kalle’s ability to learn and absorb new things has always been extremely good. When he was still 15 years old, I marveled at Kalle’s ability to withstand pressure and his maturity. Kalle was then similar to other drivers at the age of 25, Jouhki praises.

Jouhki reminds that good pressure tolerance is an extremely important asset in rallying.

– Kalle seems to perform better the harder the pressure is, Jouhki marvels.

The rally world has probably only seen the first moments of Rovanperä’s era.

– The level of performing Kalle is currently harder than (Sebastien) By Loeb once upon a time, Jouhki downloads.

When a rally manager who has seen and experienced everything says this, it’s bad to say no. And there’s no reason at the moment.