Kalle Rovanpera described his restoration to fourth in Monte Carlo as “not a complete catastrophe” for the beginning of his pursuit of a 3rd World Rally Championship title.
Rovanpera has brazenly admitted that Monte Carlo shouldn’t be among the many occasions that go well with him, however final weekend he struggled to carry out to his personal excessive requirements on Hankook’s slick tyre.
The Finn discovered himself sitting in sixth on Friday, admitting that he wanted to vary his driving type to adapt to the new-for-2025 rubber.
Rovanpera did discover some enhancements on Sunday and was helped by an impressed tyre name in changeable climate to complete second within the Tremendous Sunday standings, additionally stealing fourth away from Hyundai’s Ott Tanak.
Though Rovanpera completed the rally 54.3s adrift of eventual winner and Toyota team-mate Sebastien Ogier, the two-time world champion felt his weekend wasn’t as dangerous as first feared.
Contemplating Ogier is contesting a partial season, Rovanpera leaves Monte Carlo eight factors behind efficient championship chief and Monte runner-up Elfyn Evans (Toyota).
“On the finish, not less than I managed to get some okay factors,” Rovanpera advised Motorsport.com. “A very good tyre selection and a superb Sunday saved us some good factors, so on the finish it’s not a complete catastrophe.
“For positive, we discovered so much and at this time [Sunday] we did some small adjustments on the automobile.
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photograph by: Purple Bull Content material Pool
“It was the primary time attempting the slick with these new issues, and I believe we might have been higher by way of the weekend with this, however not less than it was good to search out it.
“I attempted in fact [to adapt my driving style to the tyres], however through the race it’s not really easy.
“Often you want some assist from the automobile aspect as effectively, one thing to assist you as you drive a bit in a different way.”
Learn Additionally:
Rovanpera will quickly start preparations for Rally Sweden subsequent month, a rally the place he’s anticipated to be among the many favourites for victory.
The 24-year-old has beforehand tasted victory on the Swedish snow in 2022, which prompted the beginning of a dominant run to his maiden WRC title.
On this article
Tom Howard
WRC
Kalle Rovanperä
Toyota Racing
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