Kalle Rovanpera will depart Safari Rally Kenya with out scoring any World Rally Championship factors after retiring on the ultimate day.
The 2-time world champion’s newest setback, in what has been a gruelling Safari Rally, occurred following the opening stage of Sunday morning.
Rovanpera and co-driver Jonne Halttunen clocked the third-fastest time on stage 17 [Mzabibu], 3.7s adrift of Hyundai’s Ott Tanak, however had been unable to begin the next check of the loop.
The pair had been seen making roadside repairs to their Toyota GR Yaris that had suffered a suspected alternator concern. In the end the crew had been unable to rectify the problem, leading to retirement from fifth place.
“Sadly it’s recreation over for us as we’re pressured to retire after the primary stage of the morning with a technical concern,” Rovanpera posted on social media.
It’s the first time Rovanpera has retired from the Safari Rally for the reason that occasion rejoined the championship in 2021, having gained the occasion twice, 2022 and 2024, whereas ending second in 2023 and sixth in 2021.
Kalle Rovanperä, Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT
Photograph by: Toyota Racing
Rovanpera admitted on Saturday evening that he “positively wanted some good factors” from Sunday after witnessing his bid for a 3rd Safari Rally win evaporate on Saturday.
The Finn had began Saturday solely 7.7s adrift of the lead held by team-mate and championship rival Elfyn Evans.
Nonetheless, a pair of punctures on Saturday morning adopted by a collision with a rock that broken the GR Yaris’ left-rear suspension dropped Rovanpera to fifth, 6m06s behind Evans.
Sunday’s retirement will depart Rovanpera enjoying catch-up within the title race, having entered the Safari Rally 30 factors behind factors chief Evans after a troublesome begin to the yr, headlined by struggles adjusting to the new-for-2025 Hankook tyres.
Toyota remained on the right track to keep up its 100% unbeaten run on the African traditional since its return with Evans main Hyundai’s Ott Tanak by 1m38.3s with two levels remaining.
Hyundai’s Thierry Neuville, who topped the Tremendous Sunday standings, held on to 3rd forward of Toyota’s Takamoto Katsuta, who was lucky to outlive an off-road tour in stage 18. Toyota’s Sami Pajari inherited fifth following Rovanpera’s retirement.
On this article
Tom Howard
WRC
Kalle Rovanperä
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