Kalle Rovanpera Aims for Strong Comeback at Safari Rally Kenya

Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time champion, aims for a strong result at the Safari Rally to kickstart his WRC title campaign. He faces challenges adapting to new tyres but hopes gravel conditions will suit his style. Currently ranked third, he aims to close the points gap with Elfyn Evans, while gaining confidence from recent tests and support from Juha Kankkunen.

Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time world champion, aims for a strong performance at the Safari Rally Kenya to revive his World Rally Championship title aspirations. He has acknowledged that the start of the season “has not been the easiest” due to challenges in adapting to the new Hankook control tyres introduced for 2025. Rovanpera, who is considered a favorite to win a third title, has yet to secure a podium finish this season, ranking fourth in Monte Carlo and fifth in Sweden.

As he approaches the Safari Rally, Rovanpera remains third in the championship but trails leader Elfyn Evans by 30 points. He expressed his anticipation for the gravel event, stating, “Now we go on gravel a new tyre again and something new to learn.” Rovanpera, having won two of the last four iterations of this rally, feels this presents a new opportunity.

In preparation, the driver reported positive results from a recent test with the gravel tyres. He noted that “the test last week was really important to try some different things” with the car and tyres on gravel surfaces. He considers the Safari Rally special and intends to push hard for a vital result.

Team principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed optimism that the gravel tyres would better suit Rovanpera’s driving style. However, he will not attend the rally due to scheduling conflicts, leaving the duties to Juha Kankkunen, a seasoned deputy team principal. Rovanpera commented, “It is really cool to have Juha at the Safari Rally” and expressed confidence in their collaboration.

Kalle Rovanpera seeks to enhance his World Rally Championship title efforts at the Safari Rally Kenya amid early season difficulties with new tyres. As he prepares to compete on gravel, he hopes for improved performance and aims to close the points gap with his team-mate. Rovanpera’s feedback on the gravel tyres and the support from experienced deputy team principal Juha Kankkunen contribute to his optimism for the rally ahead.

Original Source: www.dazn.com