Kalle Rovanperä Retires from 2025 Safari Rally Kenya Amidst Challenges

Kalle Rovanperä retired from the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, ending a disappointing race in fifth place due to mechanical failures. Despite a promising start, punctures and suspension damage led to a significant setback, culminating in a battery failure on Sunday. This further exacerbates a poor season for Rovanperä, who now trails in the championship standings.

The 2025 Safari Rally Kenya concluded unexpectedly on March 23, 2025, as Finnish driver Kalle Rovanperä was forced to retire from fifth place due to mechanical failure. His exit was particularly disheartening as he aimed to secure critical championship points from the event.

Initially, Rovanperä, competing for Toyota Gazoo Racing, exhibited promising performance, trailing the leader by a mere 7.7 seconds at one point. However, two punctures on Saturday morning hampered his progress, dropping him over a minute behind his teammate, Elfyn Evans. Later, a broken rear-left suspension from hitting a rock left him limping through the final stages, ultimately resulting in a fifth-place finish.

On Sunday, Rovanperä focused on maximizing points but encountered more challenges when he and co-driver Jonne Halttunen attempted to replace an alternator belt after the opening test. Regrettably, their efforts were in vain as the car’s battery failed, leading to their retirement from the rally entirely. Rovanperä expressed his frustration, stating, “It’s definitely not a good weekend.”

This retirement adds to a difficult season for the reigning champion, who has struggled with the transition to new Hankook tires, failing to achieve a podium finish in the first two rounds. The Kenya setback has now placed him significantly behind his competitors, Sébastien Ogier and Evans, in the championship race.

While Elfyn Evans had a strong showing, Toyota Gazoo Racing faces its most challenging outcome in Safari Rally Kenya since its return to the WRC in 2021. Rovanperä reflected on this challenging year, stating, “I think the previous years have gone so well for us… At some point, you get all the bad stuff.”

As the next WRC round approaches, Rovanperä and his team must quickly regroup to adapt to the new tire regulations and regain consistency. His upcoming opportunity in Croatia will be critical if he is to remain competitive in the title fight.

Kalle Rovanperä’s retirement from the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya underscores a challenging season for the two-time World Rally Champion. Despite an encouraging start, mechanical failures and issues with new tire regulations have left him lagging behind in the championship standings. As he prepares for the next round in Croatia, it is imperative for both Rovanperä and Toyota Gazoo Racing to regain their competitive edge to recover points in the championship race.

Original Source: www.tv47.digital