Kalle Rovanpera Eyes Strong Comeback at Safari Rally Kenya
Kalle Rovanpera is looking to improve his standings at the Safari Rally Kenya, which he considers essential for his championship hopes. Despite struggling with the new Hankook tyres, he remains determined to adapt and perform well. With support from his team, particularly Juha Kankkunen stepping in as team principal, Rovanpera aims for a strong finish in this challenging event.
Kalle Rovanpera, the reigning two-time world champion, is seeking a crucial result at the Safari Rally Kenya, which he believes is necessary for reigniting his World Rally Championship (WRC) title hopes. Despite facing difficulties adapting to the new Hankook control tyres introduced for the 2025 season, Rovanpera aims to showcase his skills in this challenging rally environment. So far this season, he has experienced a fourth-place finish at Monte Carlo and a fifth in Sweden’s snowy stages, positioning him third in the championship standings but 30 points behind leader Elfyn Evans.
In his upcoming competition in Kenya, Rovanpera will utilize Hankook’s gravel tyres, as this rally marks the first loose surface event of the season. He expressed optimism about this shift, stating, “Now we go on gravel a new tyre again and something new to learn.” He acknowledged that while the start of the season has been challenging, he believes a strong performance at this rally could significantly close the gap in points.
The Finnish driver received encouraging feedback on the gravel tyres following a pre-event test in southern Europe, which he deemed vital for adapting to the conditions. Rovanpera remarked, “The Safari is definitely one of the most special rallies in the season. It’s always really cool to go there and we’ll try to do another good result, as we really need that this year.”
Toyota team principal Jari-Matti Latvala expressed confidence that the gravel tyres would suit Rovanpera better, while Juha Kankkunen, the four-time world rally champion, will assume Latvala’s role in Kenya due to scheduling conflicts. Rovanpera welcomed Kankkunen’s involvement, noting that “It is cool to see him there and I think he always brings really positive feeling.”
The 2025 World Rally Championship is broadcasted by DAZN, with coverage provided through its dedicated Rally TV channel. Fans can access the channel via a standalone subscription or as an add-on to their existing DAZN subscription, ensuring comprehensive coverage of both WRC and the European Rally Championship events.
In summary, Kalle Rovanpera is poised for a pivotal performance at the Safari Rally Kenya to advance his championship aspirations. Although the reigning champion has faced challenges this season, he is hopeful that adapting to the new gravel tyres will amplify his competitiveness. With support from his team and the experience of Juha Kankkunen, Rovanpera aims to improve his standings in the championship and achieve a much-needed result at this iconic rally.
Original Source: www.dazn.com
