Kalle: The fight continues for Spain and Japan

The 22-year-old Finn was crowned the youngest WRC champion in history by winning Repco Rally New Zealand earlier this month. Despite having accomplished his own mission, Rovanperä is now setting his sights on delivering another perfect season for Toyota.

“After winning the championship, there’s no problem with motivation,” he said. “You always want more [as a competitor] and now we have the good motivation to fight for the manufacturers’ championship. We need to fight for the team and push on again now.”

Rovanperä admitted a test for the Salou-based WRC round, along with PR commitments arising from his maiden title, had made it difficult for the achievement to sink in and be celebrated.

“I was quite busy with everything,” he said. “There was quite a lot of travelling after [New Zealand], but then there was some time to enjoy what we have done.”

Some of the most emotional scenes from Auckland came when Rovanperä and his father Harri – himself a one-time WRC rally winner – embraced at the end of the Wolf Power Stage.

“I think he was quite relieved,” said the Toyota driver, “but I think I was also quite relieved as well. Honestly, I think this was maybe a bigger thing for him than it was for me!”