Kalle Rovanperä Forced to Retire from 2025 Safari Rally Kenya
Kalle Rovanperä retired from the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya after suffering mechanical failure while in fifth position. Initially showing promise, he faced multiple setbacks, leading to this disappointing outcome. This season has been challenging for him, struggling to adapt to new tires, and he now trails significantly in the championship standings. Toyota Gazoo Racing is also experiencing its weakest performance since 2021 in this event. Rovanperä must recover quickly before the next WRC round in Croatia.
In a surprising development during the final day of the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya on March 23, Finnish driver Kalle Rovanperä was compelled to retire while positioned fifth, marking a disappointing conclusion to his rally efforts. Rovanperä, a two-time World Rally Champion, entered the event with aspirations of securing crucial points, yet faced a mechanical failure that left him empty-handed.
Rovanperä, competing for Toyota Gazoo Racing, initially demonstrated considerable promise during the rally, nearing the lead by only 7.7 seconds at one point. However, his aspirations took a downturn when he suffered two punctures on Saturday morning, causing significant delays and placing him over a minute behind his teammate Elfyn Evans. In a further setback, he damaged his rear-left suspension against a rock, thus finishing the remaining stages with difficulties that resulted in his drop to fifth position.
With his competitive chances diminished, Rovanperä aimed to maximize points on the Super Sunday and the power stage. Unfortunately, after the initial stage on Sunday, he and co-driver Jonne Halttunen were seen attempting to resolve an alternator issue on their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1. Despite their efforts, they were unable to rectify the problem, leading to a complete battery failure and forcing their retirement from the rally.
“It’s definitely not a good weekend,” Rovanperä remarked to DirtFish, acknowledging the frustrating outcome. “It looked good if we would have been getting some points and staying close, but now for sure the gaps will be much bigger for us.”
This setback contributes to a challenging season for the 23-year-old champion. Having excelled in the WRC in prior years, Rovanperä has faced difficulties adjusting to the new Hankook tires introduced this season. His inability to secure podium finishes in the first two rounds and the poor performance in Kenya place his championship aspirations in jeopardy.
Currently, Rovanperä trails significantly behind his challengers, Sébastien Ogier and Evans, who have established a substantial points lead after three rounds. Despite Evans’ leadership this rally, Toyota Gazoo Racing appears poised for its weakest collective result in the Safari Rally Kenya since 2021, a clear deviation from their previous dominance in the event.
“I think the previous years have gone so well for us also that we used our luck there,” Rovanperä reflected on the team’s unfortunate run. “At some point, you get all the bad stuff.”
As the next WRC round approaches, Rovanperä and his team must swiftly regroup. The defending champion needs to acclimate to the ongoing tire regulations and achieve greater consistency in performance to maintain relevance in the title race. He will seek to rebound during the upcoming rally in Croatia to avoid a further decline in championship standing.
Kalle Rovanperä’s retirement from the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya due to mechanical issues marks a disappointing chapter in his current season, characterized by challenges with newly introduced tire regulations and missed podiums. Despite initial promise in the rally, subsequent misfortunes and a lack of competitive finishes have placed his championship hopes in jeopardy, as he faces a significant points deficit against his rivals. As he prepares for the next rally in Croatia, Rovanperä must adapt quickly to regain his competitive edge and remain a contender.
Original Source: www.tv47.digital
