Kalle Rovanpera Eyes Title Revival at Safari Rally Kenya

Kalle Rovanpera aims for a strong result at the Safari Rally Kenya to boost his WRC title bid after a difficult start to the season. Currently third in the standings, he faces a crucial opportunity on gravel tyres, hoping to bridge the gap to leader Elfyn Evans. Supported by Juha Kankkunen during the event, Rovanpera seeks to leverage previous experiences for success.

Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time world champion, aims for a positive outcome at the Safari Rally Kenya to rejuvenate his World Rally Championship title pursuit. Despite facing adaptation challenges with the new Hankook control tyres for the 2025 season, Rovanpera remains determined to excel at this rally. So far, he has not reached the podium, achieving fourth at the Monte Carlo opener and a fifth at the Sweden stages, struggling to align his driving style with the new tyres.
As he enters the Safari Rally, the first gravel event of the season, Rovanpera is currently third in the championship but trails leader Elfyn Evans by 30 points. He expressed optimism, stating, “Now we go on gravel a new tyre again and something new to learn.” Rovanpera has won two of the last four Safari rallies and sees this as an opportunity to enhance his performance.
Previous test sessions in southern Europe provided Rovanpera with valuable feedback on the gravel tyres, contributing to his preparations for the rally. He remarked, “The Safari is definitely one of the most special rallies in the season,” and emphasized his commitment to achieving a noteworthy result. Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed confidence that the gravel tyres would suit Rovanpera better.
Notably, due to conflicting commitments, Latvala will not attend the rally; instead, his duties will be handled by fourth-time world champion Juha Kankkunen. Rovanpera welcomes Kankkunen’s presence, citing their friendship and Kankkunen’s extensive experience as advantageous for the team.

Kalle Rovanpera is determined to rebound in his World Rally Championship campaign at the Safari Rally Kenya, despite facing early-season challenges with new tyres. With experience from prior successes at the rally, Rovanpera looks forward to this gravel event as a chance to reclaim his competitive edge. Supported by insights from his team and a shift in tyre dynamics, Rovanpera is poised to make significant strides in the championship standings.

Original Source: www.dazn.com