Kalle Rovanpera Aims for Rally Recovery at Safari Rally Kenya

Kalle Rovanpera seeks a vital performance at the Safari Rally Kenya to enhance his World Rally Championship title ambitions, after facing challenges with new Hankook tyres. Currently third in the standings, he aims to close the gap to leader Elfyn Evans. Rovanpera has positive assessments of the gravel tyres and is optimistic about his team’s potential with Juha Kankkunen stepping in for Jari-Matti Latvala.

Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time World Rally Champion, is gearing up for the Safari Rally Kenya, hoping for a much-needed strong performance to revitalize his title chase. He has faced challenges adapting to the new Hankook control tyres introduced for the 2025 season. Despite being viewed as a favorite to secure a third championship, Rovanpera has yet to clinch a podium finish this year, having secured a fourth place at Monte Carlo and a fifth in Sweden.

As he approaches this challenging rally, Rovanpera currently stands third in the championship, trailing his teammate Elfyn Evans by 30 points. Expressing optimism, he remarked, “Now we go on gravel a new tyre again and something new to learn.” He acknowledged the difficulty of the season’s start and emphasized the need to synchronize his driving with the new tyre specifications. Rovanpera’s previous success at the Safari, where he has won two out of the last four editions, adds to his confident outlook.

In preparation for the Safari Rally, Rovanpera conducted a testing session in southern Europe and reported positive outcomes regarding the gravel tyres. He stated, “The test last week was really important to try some different things and to find a good feeling with the car and tyres on gravel.” Rovanpera characterized the Safari Rally as one of the year’s standout events, expressing his desire to produce a good result amidst its unpredictable nature.

Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed faith that the gravel tyres would be more suitable for Rovanpera. However, he will not attend the rally due to scheduling conflicts. Juha Kankkunen, the deputy team principal and four-time world champion, will fill in for Latvala during this event. Rovanpera voiced his enthusiasm for having Kankkunen present, appreciating his extensive experience and expected positive impact on the team’s performance.

Kalle Rovanpera enters the Safari Rally Kenya with optimism and determination, aiming to capitalize on the new gravel tyres and rekindle his World Rally Championship aspirations. Currently positioned third in the standings, he acknowledges the importance of this rally in closing the gap to the leader, Elfyn Evans. With veteran Juha Kankkunen stepping in for team principal Jari-Matti Latvala, Rovanpera is poised to make a strong push for a podium finish, crucial for his title chase.

Original Source: www.dazn.com