Kalle Rovanpera aims for success at Safari Rally Kenya to boost his WRC title hopes. Struggling with new Hankook tyres, he seeks to adapt his driving style. Currently third in the championship, Rovanpera hopes a strong performance will narrow the 30-point gap to leader Elfyn Evans. He has received positive feedback from recent gravel tyre tests.
Kalle Rovanpera, a two-time World Rally Champion, anticipates a strong performance at the upcoming Safari Rally Kenya to invigorate his World Rally Championship (WRC) title campaign. He acknowledges that the start of his season has been challenging, particularly in adjusting to the new Hankook tyres introduced for 2025. Although he is regarded as a favorite for a third championship, Rovanpera has yet to secure a podium, finishing fourth at the Monte Carlo rally and fifth in Sweden’s snow stages.
The driver asserts that his driving style has not aligned with the new tyre specifications, necessitating significant adaptation to maximize their performance. At the Safari Rally, he will employ Hankook’s gravel tyres, marking the first loose surface event of the season. Despite facing difficulties, Rovanpera currently ranks third in the championship standings but remains 30 points behind team-mate Elfyn Evans, the current leader, and is keen to narrow this gap.
Rovanpera expressed optimism about the switch to gravel, stating, “Now we go on gravel, a new tyre again and something new to learn.” He believes that this presents a fresh opportunity to enhance his performance and close the points gap. His confidence is bolstered by positive feedback from recent tests in southern Europe, which allowed him to familiarize himself with the gravel tyres.
Rovanpera noted, “The Safari is definitely one of the most special rallies in the season…It’s a hard rally to predict but we’ll try to push really hard and do our best.” Additionally, Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed confidence that the gravel tyres would suit Rovanpera better. However, Latvala will not be present at the rally, delegating responsibilities to four-time world champion Juha Kankkunen, which Rovanpera views positively, saying, “It is really cool to have Juha at the Safari Rally. I think he always brings really positive feeling.”
Viewers can follow the 2025 World Rally Championship on DAZN, available through the Rally TV channel, either as a standalone subscription or as an add-on to existing DAZN accounts. This channel broadcasts every event from both the WRC and the European Rally Championship, providing extensive coverage of all races accordingly.
In summary, Kalle Rovanpera is poised for a pivotal challenge at the Safari Rally Kenya, seeking to reignite his championship ambitions following a difficult start to the season. His adaptation to the new gravel tyres and the involvement of Juha Kankkunen as team principal underscore the significance of this rally in his campaign. With confidence in the performance of the gravel tyres and the potential for a strong result, Rovanpera aims to close the points gap in the title race.
Original Source: www.dazn.com
