The lure of competing at the highest level possible in circuit racing and the chance to do something ”really unique” are behind Kalle Rovanpera’s decision to leave the World Rally Championship for Super Formula.
The two-time world rally champion will next year make the rare switch from rallying to single-seaters, beginning with a two-year stint in Japan’s Super Formula, in a Toyota-supported move.
Rovanpera’s announcement has arrived with the Finn still in the running for a third WRC title with three rounds of the season remaining, beginning with next week’s Central European Rally.
It also comes after last year he made his circuit racing debut in Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux, and an outing in formula cars – including an older-generation Red Bull Formula 1 car – at the Red Bull Ring. Last year’s circuit racing experience led Rovanpera to seriously explore a full-time move away from rallying.
Explaining his huge career move, the 25-year-old says the decision was a “clear choice” and his sights are set on climbing the ranks to compete at the highest level in circuit racing.
“I think it has not been an easy choice by any means, but it was a clear choice for me. I put on my list the things I need to achieve [in WRC] and I have achieved those at quite a young age, and I’m happy with that,” said Rovanpera.
“Next season I’m going straight into the deep end driving in Super Formula in Japan and doing a lot of testing and simulator work, and the plan for the next two years is to drive formula cars in Super Formula. After that we need to see what will be the next steps, but the aim is to have a proper programme with Toyota in formula cars and aim to the highest level possible.
“There is obviously a huge amount of work to do, but I’m ready to do it and see how everything goes.
“I feel like I still have the chance to be on a high level in whatever the category is in circuit racing, that was the first part of the talks [with Toyota]. Actually [Toyota] also started to think about it more, they got really interested in the chance we have here.
“We have the chance to do something really unique that nobody has ever done, and that is part of the biggest motivation – to always do something that maybe nobody else has done. That is something really interesting.”
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
When asked specifically about the possibility of aiming for Formula 1 and a timeframe for achieving that, he added: “Obviously the plan for the next few years is to first of all get in 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.
“Obviously there are so many choices we can do in circuit racing, and the plan is obviously evolving all of the time. 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.
“The time on my side is definitely ticking out all the time. That is the reason why the decision had to be made now. Obviously a really big thanks goes to Toyota, who wanted to be on my side in this. Obviously this kind of plan and project wouldn’t be possible without manufacturer backing.
“In life and especially motorsport you never know what is coming. You need to be in the right place at the right time, many things need to go your way, but we have the time on my side as l’m only 25, and we definitely aim to go all the way.
“I cannot tell you what will be my ultimate goal, I have told you it is the highest level. Formula 1 is the highest level but obviously there are so many cool series and events in circuit racing.
“If you ask me ‘do I want to Le Mans one day?’, for sure, if I have the chance, I want to do Le Mans. I want to do all these big races. There are so many possibilities.”
Not ruling out a return to rallying in the future
Kalle Rovanperä, Jonne Halttunen, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
While Rovanpera’s future appears to lie in working his way up the single-seater ranks, the Toyota driver expects to one day return to rallying.
Rovanpera confirmed that the current state of the WRC and a difficult campaign adjusting to new Hankook tyres were not factors in his decision.
“I wouldn’t say this season or basically anything from the rallying side other than achieving what I was aiming to achieve has been the conclusion. Obviously this year has not been the best, but we are still in the top three fighting, so it is not the worst either,” Rovanpera added.
“It has not been the most comfortable this year, but there are still three rallies to go and the fight will be on. Knowing that these are the three last rallies for us at least for a while for me, I will give it my all to fight for the title and do some good results for the team and myself.
“I don’t think [the health of the WRC] really makes a difference in my decision. I still love rallying and the part of driving the car is its own kind of art as a sport, so obviously I still love that part of it. I wouldn’t say it has affected my choices.
“Obviously at this point I cannot tell you this will be it [for rallying]. There is quite a high chance that I will still be on the start line for a WRC rally also. But it is not in the plans now because the plans we have are quite big and it will take all the effort to focus on those. Obviously at some point in my career l’m pretty sure I might drive some rally again, but I don’t know it yet.”
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– The Autosport.com Team
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