Kalle Rovanperä’s Disappointing Retirement from Safari Rally Kenya

Kalle Rovanperä was forced to retire from the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya, ending a disappointing campaign after a promising start. Despite efforts to recover from setbacks, mechanical failure kept him from earning points. His struggles this season continue as he seeks to adapt to new tire regulations and regain competitiveness in future events.

Kalle Rovanperä’s participation in the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya ended abruptly on Sunday, March 23, 2025, as he was compelled to retire while positioned fifth. The two-time World Rally Champion had aimed to secure critical points, but mechanical failure thwarted his efforts, leaving him without any points from the event.

Initially, Rovanperä, representing Toyota Gazoo Racing, displayed a strong performance and was within 7.7 seconds of the lead. However, two punctures on Saturday morning set him back more than a minute behind his teammate, Elfyn Evans. An additional setback occurred when he damaged his rear-left suspension against a rock, severely limiting his vehicle’s capabilities and causing him to fall to fifth place.

After losing his chances for a front-run finish, Rovanperä focused on maximizing points during the Super Sunday. Unfortunately, after the opening test on Sunday, Rovanperä and co-driver Jonne Halttunen attempted to fix their Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 by replacing an alternator belt. Despite their efforts, the car lost power and ultimately led to their retirement from the rally.

Rovanperä’s disappointing performance is indicative of a difficult season for the 23-year-old driver. Having dominated the World Rally Championship (WRC) in previous seasons, he has faced challenges adapting to the new Hankook tires introduced for this season. With no podium finishes in the opening rounds in Monte Carlo and Sweden, his struggles in Kenya have worsened his situation in the championship standings.

Toyota Gazoo Racing finds itself facing its weakest performance in the Safari Rally Kenya since its return to the WRC in 2021, despite Elfyn Evans’ leading position. Rovanperä, the previous champion, acknowledges the shift in fortune, stating, “I think the previous years have gone so well for us also that we used our luck there. At some point, you get all the bad stuff.”

As the next round of the WRC approaches, both Rovanperä and Toyota must swiftly regroup. It is imperative for Rovanperä to adjust to the new tire regulations and regain consistency to stay competitive in the championship. His next chance to recover will be in Croatia, where a strong performance is essential to maintain hope in the title race.

Kalle Rovanperä’s retirement in the 2025 Safari Rally Kenya was due to mechanical failures, marking a disappointing chapter in his season. Despite a promising start, his struggles with the new tire regulations have significantly impacted his standings in the championship. Toyota Gazoo Racing’s overall performance this year has also not met expectations, highlighting the need for immediate strategic adjustments moving forward. Rovanperä’s focus will now shift to the upcoming Croatia event to regain his competitive edge.

Original Source: www.tv47.digital