Only a podium will satisfy Rovanperä in Estonia

Toyota’s teenage superstar Kalle Rovanperä has told DirtFish he won’t be happy if he doesn’t repeat his Rally Sweden podium in Estonia this week.

The 19-year-old has shown astonishing speed in his first three rallies in the Yaris WRC, beating team-mate Sébastien Ogier to third place with his maiden powerstage success in Torsby back in February.

With more time testing the car and a strong second-place finish on last month’s South Estonia Rally, Rovanperä is pushing for another podium.

“On a [fast] rally like this the podium is the only thing I’m happy for,” said Rovanperä, speaking on Thursday.

“But it’s going to be a very big fight for me to be on the podium. It’s a bit more technical roads than in Lõuna-Eesti [South Estonia] and I don’t know how our pace will be. I will try to make it a clean race with some good pace.

“We still have to know that the situation is the same as after Sweden – I’ve only done a few rallies with the car and for sure I need more kilometers.

“I know it will be much tougher than in Lõuna-Eesti; this is a WRC round, all the guys are here and the competition is always a bit different.”

One thing working in Rovanperä’s favor is Estonia’s debut on the WRC schedule.

While most of the drivers have competed in the country, around 50% of the Rally Estonia route is new and that will provide a more level playing field for the Finn.

“It could help that it’s a new event, but it will be more like a clean race for me, getting the experience if it’s going in the same direction like in Lõuna-Eesti and the speed is good and I will try to push and be in the top place,” he added.

Rovanperä, who was eighth on Friday’s opening stage, will start the first day proper of Rally Estonia with Tommi Mäkinen’s words of endorsement ringing in his ear.

The Toyota team principal told DirtFish: “I think Kalle could be the one to give Ott [Tänak] some pressure.

“I am pretty sure we should look at least for the podium.”