Kalle Rovanpera has outlined the biggest challenges that lie ahead of a switch from the World Rally Championship to single-seater racing in Super Formula next year.
Rovanpera stunned the motorsport world by announcing bold plans to quit rallying at the end of the season and embark on a plan to climb the circuit racing ranks, with the goal of competing at the highest level possible.
Supported by Toyota, Rovanpera will contest the Super Formula season next year with a view to moving to Formula 2 as early as 2027. The opportunity will see the two-time world rally champion race single-seaters for the first time, having made his circuit racing debut last year, winning three races in the Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux series.
Stepping into a Super Formula single-seater will present a whole new set of challenges for the 25-year-old, who sampled formula cars for only the first time last year, when he tested Formula 4 and Formula Renault 3.5 machinery at the Red Bull Ring, before an outing in a Red Bull RB8 F1 car.
Looking ahead to next year, Rovanpera admits there will be both mental and physical challenges he will need to overcome racing in Japan’s Super Formula series. The Finn is yet to disclose which team he will race for in Japan’s leading open-wheel formula next year.
“I think jumping straight to the Super Formula is a jump straight into the deep end,” said Rovanpera.
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: Toyota Racing
“They are the second-fastest formula cars, they are not so much behind F1 cars and much faster than Formula 2, so there are going to be a few things [to get used to]. There is the racecraft, to learn how to manage the car, the tyres and the racing close to each other.
“Obviously there is also the physical side which is completely different than what rallying needs. I have only this winter time to prepare my body and everything, and to be ready in those cars. The g-forces and the cornering speeds are so different compared to anything else I have driven. There is definitely work in many of those areas.”
Rovanpera says he isn’t setting himself any specific time frame or goals for his plan to climb the single-seater ranks, with the ultimate target being Formula 1.
“Obviously the plan for the next few years is to first of all get into formula car racing. I’m starting from basically zero. It will take a long time in the beginning to get up to speed and build my racecraft and everything,” he added.
“Obviously, there are so many choices we can do in circuit racing, and the plan is obviously evolving all of the time. The plan is to make those good results and work super hard to get those results.
“There is no timeline for myself when I should be and where. I should just focus on each season and work pretty hard and improve myself, and if I bring the results then anything is possible.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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