Kalle Rovanpera was the notable absentee of the 2024 WRC season. It’s true, he won 4 rallies this season. It’s true, it has often saved Toyota Gazoo Racing’s weekends. But due to his decision not to take part in the entire World Rally season, he was unable to fight to win what could have been the third consecutive world championship of his career.
“I need a quieter season to recharge my batteries,” he said after winning his second title, at the end of 2023. And so it was. Now the 2024 season is coming to an end, with the 24-year-old having had the opportunity to win in the WRC and also dabble on the track. As they say: “Learn the art and put it aside.”
Kalle wanted to improve and he did so by learning a lot on the track too. Now, however, it’s almost time to return to my first love, rallies, and do it to try to win immediately, again, and become world champion again. At the Autodromo Internazionale di Monza, where he is currently competing in the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia, Rovanpera gave an interview to selected media, including Motorsport.com, with whom he spoke about the present and future.
Kalle, let’s start straight away with your plans for 2025. Will you return to do the full season in the WRC?
“As for the plans for 2025, for sure I will do the whole season with Toyota in the WRC. I will come back to do the whole season. After that, I don’t know anything yet about a possible track programme. For sure I would still like to race on the track. We are working on it to see what the best calendar is to fit in circuit races.”
So do you think you’ve recharged your batteries perfectly?
“I think my batteries have been recharged, yes. I’m ready to go back to racing a full season even if it will be even longer and harder.”
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo credit: Red Bull Content Pool
Speaking of WRC: It looks like Hyundai might leave at the end of next season. Not a good sign for the health of the World Cup… What do you think?
“Certainly a possible exit of Hyundai Motorsport from the WRC is not a positive thing. I don’t know anything about Hyundai’s future, but everyone certainly hopes that they can stay and, perhaps, that other manufacturers can enter too.”
What do you think of the current generation of Rally1 cars? What about the hybrid?
“Certainly for the moment the hybrid on Rally1 has worked rather well. It’s something that the drivers have had to understand and learn to use, because it’s not that simple. It’s certainly something that, personally, I like.”
Moving on to the present, why did you decide to also take part in races dedicated to GT cars?
“I also started racing on the circuit first of all to see if I could like it, but also, if not above all, to become a better driver in an absolute sense. There are many drivers who perhaps go well in rallies, but then struggle on the track. Instead I would like to be able to do both. My motivation is to be strong both in rallies and on the track.”
Kalle Rovanpera, Prima Ghinzani Motorsport
Photo credit: Getty Images
Which track have you liked the most so far?
“For the moment I really liked Imola. I liked it a lot from the first lap I did. And I think it’s my favorite at the moment.”
As for the next few years, what races do you want to do on the track? Already have a list of goals?
“I would like to do several races in the future. For sure, among the GT races I would like to do is definitely Le Mans. That is definitely on my list of things to do one day.”
Will you also try the Toyota Hypercar?
“There are no plans at the moment about any testing with the Toyota GR010 Hypercar. We’ll see. It could happen at some point. It will depend on the plans and calendars.”
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