High on the hill above Jyväskylä, waiting patiently for the Harju stage, fans massed for one man. Kalle Rovanperä. The two-time world champion’s absence from this year’s World Rally Championship has only served to grow their fondness for him.
He’s been missed. And the fact he stepped back from his Super Formula commitments and single seater adventure in March means he’d really disappeared from the public view.
Until now.
That appreciation wasn’t lost on Rovanperä. But where’s he at right now? There’s plenty of chatter about a full-time return to the World Rally Championship, but what’s his story?
DirtFish caught up with him in search of some insight on the plan.
Asked about the commitment to Super Formula or his wide plans, he said: “At the moment, I think we really start quite from zero. There is no real plans for me or the team yet, I think.
“Now, when the summer will be done, I think we will start to discuss about the next things and I think we will go with both of our feelings – first I want to hear what Toyota thinks and what they want and then see if my ideas align with that.”
Is a WRC return on the table? Is it an option?
“I have an open mind and everything is possible, so yeah I’m not ruling anything out,” said Rovanperä.
Has he tested a WRC27-spec Toyota yet? What are his thoughts on the car? And what are his thoughts on the championship so far this year?
For answers to all of those questions, watch our exclusive video interview below.
