WRC
Rovanperä checks in on Delfi Rally Estonia
Kalle Rovanperä made a return to the FIA World Rally Championship courtesy of a flying visit to Delfi Rally Estonia.
The two-time world rally champion attended Thursday’s night’s ceremonial start and demonstration runs held in downtown Tartu, before taking in Friday’s morning shakedown.
Rovanperä has forged close connections with Delfi Rally Estonia during his WRC career. In 2021 the Finn became the youngest-ever WRC rally winner by claiming his maiden win in the Baltic country before going on to win the rally in 2022 and 2023, the latter featuring a run of 13 consecutive stage wins.
While a medical issue forced the 25-year-old to postpone plans to contest this year’s Super Formula season in Japan, Rovanperä has kept a close eye on the WRC this year and has acted as mentor to his close friend Takamoto Katsuta.
“We were just passing by a little bit and I decided to come see the shakedown. It was not really planned to come here but it is nice to see the guys,” Rovanperä told WRC.com.
“It is the first time this year I have been to any event basically. It is quite interesting and obviously nice to see all the team and rallying is always interesting.
Sami Pajari equalled Elfyn Evans' quickest time on shakedown
© At World
“I don’t know [who are the favourites this weekend]. I haven’t been following the conditions or asking the guys what they feel, but I think it will be one of the Toyotas.”
Toyota announced last month that Rovanperä has resumed physical training, and is now in a position to plan a “phased return to driving”. A return to competitive racing in 2027 is the objective.
“Obviously now I’m declared fit again to drive so that is nice and I’m slowly getting back to everything. I don’t know what are the next plans, but something interesting for sure,” he added.
“The winter time was busy and we did a lot of driving and many interesting things but it was unfortunate that it ended how it ended but let’s see what comes next.”
